AJWatson3
January-10th-2004, 12:08 PM
it's pretty wild that a team offering significantly less money over the long term might actually get the best remaining FA on the market. hmmm.... one year, $10 million, or 5 years, $68 million? i guess VLAD is thinking about signing one year contracts until the market goes back to the way it was a few seasons ago-- NOT GONNA HAPPEN. dude needs to take the O's contract and enjoy playing in a great city, in a beautiful stadium, and for passionate, knowledgable baseball fans. and this whole turn is really pissing me off. i don't want the O's to get screwed in some bidding war against teams offering one-year or three-year contracts, but i do believe we can offer him more and he is worth more than the 5-$68. $14 per year is fair for a player of his caliber.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1704992
Saturday, January 10, 2004
ESPN.com news services
While Vladimir Guerrero continues to be available, an unexpected team may have jumped to the head of the line.
The World Series champion Marlins have made a one-year offer for more than $10 million, and Guerrero's first choice is believed to be Florida, according to Saturday's Newark Star-Ledger.
"I've heard that he would like to go to Florida if the money was appropriate," an unnamed general manager told the Star-Ledger. "My personal opinion is that if Florida came up with a $13 million or $14 million deal, he'd go there."
The Mets and the Orioles had been believed to be the only teams seriously pursuing Guerrero.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are now offering a five-year, $67.5 million deal after originally making a five-year, $65 million proposal.
The Orioles had been considered the favorites because they are offering more guaranteed money than the Mets, who are believed to be offering a $30 million deal over three years with plenty of incentives. But according to the Star-Ledger report, talks between Guerrero and the Orioles are falling apart.
The Mets believe they have some key factors going for them. There's the lure of staying in the National League, and of playing in New York, which has a large Dominican population. However, it now appears the Marlins would be the biggest obstacle for the Mets to land Guerrero.
For most of the offseason, the Mets had shied away from going after the "big fish" on the free agent market. But Guerrero's continued availability -- and the Orioles' lack of success in signing him -- have brought the Mets into the mix.
If Guerrero does not decide soon, other teams may get in the mix. The Tigers, with plenty of money to spend, may get involved, The New York Times reported on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mets players were salivating about the possibility of playing with Guerrero.
"Oh, my goodness. It would make [the Mets outfield] so good," new center fielder Mike Cameron said in a phone interview with the New York Post. "I don't know what Vlady's situation is about playing in New York, but if they want me to call Vladimir, I know a little Spanish. That would be awesome."
"It'd be unbelievable," catcher Vance Wilson told the Post. "Everyone's worried about his back, but you get him off that turf in Montreal. ... He works hard and he's a gamer. They'd love him in New York."
As much as the Mets want Guerrero, they seem unwilling to take a huge financial chance on him. They got burned after trading for Mo Vaughn before the 2002 season. The Mets announced Thursday that Vaughn would miss the entire season with his knee problem.
Guerrero missed close to two months last season because of a herniated disk but was terrific after returning, finishing the season with a .330 average, 25 home runs and 79 RBI for the Expos.
----------------------------
Why not more interest?
Guerrero
The tepid interest in Vladimir Guerrero has apparently drawn the suspicion of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Guerrero, likely the best player available this offseason, still has not been signed, and is reportedly being actively pursued right now by three teams -- the Orioles, Marlins and the Mets.
"I don't understand why a guy like Guerrero, one of the best talents in baseball, can be a free agent and still be out there," Tony Bernazard, a special assistant to the union's executive director, Donald Fehr, told The New York Times. "It's very puzzling."
Guerrero's largest offer so far came from his former team, the Expos, who offered him five years and $75 million. They are no longer in the running for his services.
While Guerrero's price tag is high, his talent may not have a ceiling. He hits for average (.323 lifetime), power (234 homers), and can fly (123 stolen bases). He also may have the best throwing arm in baseball. And he's only 27, so he may only get better.
"I don't know why he hasn't signed yet," Expos general manager Omar Minaya told The Times. "All I can tell you is he's an excellent player and he's a pleasure to watch. Seeing him on a daily basis in Montreal, I loved to watch him."
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1704992
Saturday, January 10, 2004
ESPN.com news services
While Vladimir Guerrero continues to be available, an unexpected team may have jumped to the head of the line.
The World Series champion Marlins have made a one-year offer for more than $10 million, and Guerrero's first choice is believed to be Florida, according to Saturday's Newark Star-Ledger.
"I've heard that he would like to go to Florida if the money was appropriate," an unnamed general manager told the Star-Ledger. "My personal opinion is that if Florida came up with a $13 million or $14 million deal, he'd go there."
The Mets and the Orioles had been believed to be the only teams seriously pursuing Guerrero.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are now offering a five-year, $67.5 million deal after originally making a five-year, $65 million proposal.
The Orioles had been considered the favorites because they are offering more guaranteed money than the Mets, who are believed to be offering a $30 million deal over three years with plenty of incentives. But according to the Star-Ledger report, talks between Guerrero and the Orioles are falling apart.
The Mets believe they have some key factors going for them. There's the lure of staying in the National League, and of playing in New York, which has a large Dominican population. However, it now appears the Marlins would be the biggest obstacle for the Mets to land Guerrero.
For most of the offseason, the Mets had shied away from going after the "big fish" on the free agent market. But Guerrero's continued availability -- and the Orioles' lack of success in signing him -- have brought the Mets into the mix.
If Guerrero does not decide soon, other teams may get in the mix. The Tigers, with plenty of money to spend, may get involved, The New York Times reported on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mets players were salivating about the possibility of playing with Guerrero.
"Oh, my goodness. It would make [the Mets outfield] so good," new center fielder Mike Cameron said in a phone interview with the New York Post. "I don't know what Vlady's situation is about playing in New York, but if they want me to call Vladimir, I know a little Spanish. That would be awesome."
"It'd be unbelievable," catcher Vance Wilson told the Post. "Everyone's worried about his back, but you get him off that turf in Montreal. ... He works hard and he's a gamer. They'd love him in New York."
As much as the Mets want Guerrero, they seem unwilling to take a huge financial chance on him. They got burned after trading for Mo Vaughn before the 2002 season. The Mets announced Thursday that Vaughn would miss the entire season with his knee problem.
Guerrero missed close to two months last season because of a herniated disk but was terrific after returning, finishing the season with a .330 average, 25 home runs and 79 RBI for the Expos.
----------------------------
Why not more interest?
Guerrero
The tepid interest in Vladimir Guerrero has apparently drawn the suspicion of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Guerrero, likely the best player available this offseason, still has not been signed, and is reportedly being actively pursued right now by three teams -- the Orioles, Marlins and the Mets.
"I don't understand why a guy like Guerrero, one of the best talents in baseball, can be a free agent and still be out there," Tony Bernazard, a special assistant to the union's executive director, Donald Fehr, told The New York Times. "It's very puzzling."
Guerrero's largest offer so far came from his former team, the Expos, who offered him five years and $75 million. They are no longer in the running for his services.
While Guerrero's price tag is high, his talent may not have a ceiling. He hits for average (.323 lifetime), power (234 homers), and can fly (123 stolen bases). He also may have the best throwing arm in baseball. And he's only 27, so he may only get better.
"I don't know why he hasn't signed yet," Expos general manager Omar Minaya told The Times. "All I can tell you is he's an excellent player and he's a pleasure to watch. Seeing him on a daily basis in Montreal, I loved to watch him."