MLB - Sports Rumors

“VladimirVladimir Guerrero(notes) finished off his season by driving in a run last night against New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera(notes) late in Game 6 to put the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim down only a run in the eventual series-ending loss. Not a bad way to potentially end his career with the Halos. (Of course it would have been better if he hadn't blown it earlier in the game when he got picked off first base when teammate Kendry Morales(notes) flied out.)

The Los Angeles Times is saying that now the slugger's six-year, $85 million contract is expiring, it's not looking likely that Guerrero will be back with the team even though he would like to be.

Working against him is that the fella who turns 35 in February missed 56 games with a torn chest muscle and a strained right hamstring. Plus, he only 15 dingers this year and drove in 50 runs. Not exactly what you want from your DH.

Source: Los Angeles TimesNew Window

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  1. AY
    1. Posted by AY Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:09 am EDT

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    This is the 3rd article this morning that I've read which contained the word 'fella.' Way to keep things somewhat professional Yahoo.
  2. Jo Bangles
    2. Posted by Jo Bangles Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:21 am EDT

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    I'm tempted to accuse Vlad of being on the downslope of his career, but after the initial dropoff in power in the second year of his contract with the Angels, he's been pretty consistent, and very productive. The injury held him back this year, but if you project his numbers over a full season, he'd be more or less where he always is. I think ultimately they'll get something done to keep him in Anaheim.
  3. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    3. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:38 am EDT

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    I honestly didnt think 50RBIs and 15 homeruns was to bad considering his injury filled season. I think he is a good DH and Angels should re-sign him
  4. Matt
    4. Posted by Matt Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:13 am EDT

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    Depends how much he's asking for.
    There are several DH options the Angels could explore. Thome, Matsui, even Johnny Damon.
  5. BronxFinest.............
    5. Posted by BronxFinest............. Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:19 am EDT

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    steroids is the answer to his downfall
  6. gs
    6. Posted by gs Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:23 am EDT

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    Yea its going to be interesting to see where all of these available DH's end up. So many free agents with only 1 league to put them. Matsui is prob a better hitter then Vlad at this point, but he can't even make it 1st to 3rd anymore.
  7. davfied
    7. Posted by davfied Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:38 am EDT

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    Finest,
    I do believe you are right. As players age they start juicing to hang on longer.
  8. Doc J
    8. Posted by Doc J Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:05 am EDT

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    It's always possible but currently there is no reason to suspect Vlad of juicing.
  9. Furd (aka Turd)
    9. Posted by Furd (aka Turd) Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:29 am EDT

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    Sending a "cheer up" out to scott and kudos to the Yankees. (I hope a couple of Yankee fans... who will remain nameless...aren't TOO obnoxious). Didn't really get to see much of of the last couple of games....been doing the Kiwanis bit and helping set up our yearly Haunted House. Good luck to the Phillies.
  10. iwann27
    10. Posted by iwann27 Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:30 am EDT

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    alright alright aroids is the obvious jucer here , how do you go from 0-20 in playoff postseason to hitting 6 homers ?? He's jucin again. test him
  11. Robert C
    11. Posted by Robert C Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:32 am EDT

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    They can re-sign him but he needs to hit 5th or 6th. They also need to pay him 3-5 million a year not 14.
  12. The Real Deal
    12. Posted by The Real Deal Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:35 am EDT

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    Vlady should stay put. He is a one dimensional player at this stage of his career and has a fanbase and history with the Angels. I can't see him being more valuable to another team.
  13. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    13. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:44 am EDT

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    thanks furd for the kudos
    Scott - great series. last nights game once again had me on my feet the entire game.
  14. Bryan
    14. Posted by Bryan Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:54 am EDT

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    This is a stupid article. Yea he may be done, hes a free agent, every free agent may be done with their current team, but honestly where would he go? He has to stay in the AL, he has to go to a team thats willing to spend, needs offense, and has room at DH. Only team that fits that bill other than the Angels, and its a stretch is the Red Sox, and I seriously dont see them going after him. His mostly likely destination is resigning, probably more so than any other free agent.
  15. ~PANCHO~
    15. Posted by ~PANCHO~ Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:55 am EDT

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    poor vlad...just a shadow of his former self. they should sign him. hell.....they watched Salmon and Anderson get older and slower by the day. why not vlad? damn angels....nice try. now for my dodgers....we need a couple good arms, one ace for sure. we got the daily lineup. just need more arms.
    Artist.congrats on ur Yanks! and i mean that. YOU are one humble and gracious Yankee fan. cool people. best of luck in WS...but i am pullin for PHils. should be a great match up.I saw a post where Davfied says Yankees in 4!!! lmao....i highly doubt that. The Phils are no joke and Davfied............if they don't sweep, im gonna give you chit! lol. Remember Phils are the champs, they can field the ball unlike the Angels. and the PHils punch back too. watch out Davfied....this isn't gonna be a cake walk! But good luck though.
  16. stewie
    16. Posted by stewie Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:07 am EDT

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    Vlad is coming to the down slope of a good career. He is probably going to be offered a year by year contract if he wants to stay put. @ 35 it don t pay for the Angels to give him anything more. A one year with incentives should keep him.
  17. The Real Deal
    17. Posted by The Real Deal Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:08 am EDT

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    Byran,
    The Red Sox have room at DH? What would they do with Ortiz? He has another year left at $13 million and had 28 hrs and 99 rbis this past season , better numbers than the injured Vlady. Maybe the Yankees would like a righthanded DH specialist? I see Vlady back with the Angels.
  18. philsphanwest
    18. Posted by philsphanwest Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:14 am EDT

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    For what it's worth, I think Vlad's choices are: 1) accept a $3 million offer to be a DH/back-up DH for the Angels; or 2) retire. That's it.
    Artist: Congrats on the Yankees' victory. I sure hope the Phillies put up a better fight and play better baseball than the Angels did. Taking nothing away from the Yankees, that was a very sloppy effort by an experienced Angels team known for playing solid fundamental baseball. Whether they were or not, I don't know, but the Angels played nervous all series long.
  19. Matty
    19. Posted by Matty Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:18 am EDT

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    Roids is the issue. Look at Manny and how he was bad after he returned from his suspension
  20. Q
    20. Posted by Q Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:20 am EDT

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    no matter what happens this off-season, i know one thing is for sure: Vlad played his contract to the fullest and earned every penny along the way!! though the end result was no world series, he definitely jazzed the Angels during his time and he'll be remembered for his on the field and off the field contributions! Thanks Vlad for the memories and hope to see you in the Angels red again next spring :D
  21. philsphanwest
    21. Posted by philsphanwest Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:24 am EDT

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    Real #18: That's the same argument I kept making when people would claim that the Red Sox were seriously interested last winter in Mark Teixeira. Where would they play him?
  22. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    22. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:32 am EDT

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    Thanks PPW and Pancho - Angels play was sloppy no doubt. Giving up extra outs against a team like the Yankees spells trouble and for the Angels Game 1 and Game 6 could have turned alot different if they dont have those let downs on the bases and on defense. Im sure Phillies were watching the series and are taking notes on what not to do against them. It will be a battle and it should be a great series in the end.
  23. stewie
    23. Posted by stewie Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:35 am EDT

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    PPW , are you ready for a good if not great W.S. Yes it was supprising how the Angels looked in defeat. I know they are aa much better team than that. Everyone was commenting on how swiwsher was having a bad series. Well the real problem was that Figgins and Abreu never showed up. Figgins neutralized his own base stealing by not being able to get on. Abreu was dismal. Added that Juan Rivera couldn t hit a cow in the ass with a banjo , everything was left to Kendricks & Morales. If Mathis didnt put on a little show ,it would have been worse. What ever the reason, the Angels just didn t play the baseball we know they are capable of. I think the Yanks will have to take it up a notch when playing the Phils.
  24. yanksrock9990
    24. Posted by yanksrock9990 Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:35 am EDT

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    i think that matsui is not going back to the yankees. matsui and vlad ask for around the same amount of money. i could imagaine vlad signing with the yankees next season, and maybe matsui in anihem
  25. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    25. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:46 am EDT

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    yanksrock - I hope not. Matsui is a great clutch hitter who can hit against both lefties and righties. Sure he's struggled this past series but I wouldnt be surprised to see Matsui be one of the key players in the World Series and I think he is a great Yankee. I hope Yankees re-sign Matsui

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