Vladdy Looking For Minor League Deal
Jun 3, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays with a sign to promote Vladimir Guerrero (not pictured) who was recently signed to a minor league contract during the game against the Boston Red Sox at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY SportsIt’s been reported that Vladimir Guerrero is looking for a minor league contract.
Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos has always said there’s no such thing as a bad minor league contract right.
Last season the Jays signed Vladdy to a minor league contract. After just 12 games in the Blue Jays minor league system he told the Jays to bring him to the big leagues or he’d quit. The Jays didn’t have a need for him at the big leagues so he quit. (On a side note it gives you a pretty good indication of how deep and productive the offense was last season at the time before the injuries hit.)
AA has always said that he’s willing to give players second chances.
The thing is Vladdy wasn’t very good in his last season in 2011 with the Baltimore Orioles. For what it’s worth he still hit 13 homeruns.
He also hasn’t had a typical Hall of Fame worth Vladdy season since 2007.
Like mentioned earlier though there’s no such thing as bad minor league contract and the Blue Jays are willing to give second chances.
J.P. Arencibia, Brett Lawrie, Jose Reyes, Edwin Encarnacion, Moises Sierra are all going to be in the World Baseball Classic so Vladdy wouldn’t even be taking away at bats from anyone in spring training.
By the time the regulars come back to spring training the Jays would have some sense of whether Vladdy was worth keeping around. If he is the Jays can see how or if he fits in the lineup. And by the end of spring training they can make a decision on whether to put Vladdy on the opening day roster or not.
Even if Vladdy doesn’t make the team he’ll get to talk hitting with his fellow Dominican’s on the Blue Jays like Reyes, Melky, Bautista, Encarnacion. Even though hitting tips from Vladdy may not apply to most hitters. Not everyone can hit monster homeruns swinging at pitches near the floor.