Bowden: Orioles closing in on "humbling" deal for Guerrero

[McNulty]

The Angels were still an option as were the Rays.

Both have moved on to other options. He gambled and lost.

Now Vlad has to decide where is the best place left for him to play?

Part time with the Rangers or another team, or full time with the Orioles?

Now the Orioles will likely have to come up some on their end however to get it done.

What about the Jays?

Lind at first, Napoli/Arrencibia at Catcher, Snider in left, Bautista in right, Encarnacion at third, Guerrero at DH.

Putting Juan Rivera on the bench isn't a bad thing. You can't simply say there isn't another team with a spot for him so he must come here if he wants to play full time.

[Peace21]

The Angels were still an option as were the Rays.

Both have moved on to other options.

Now Vlad has to decide where is the best place left for him to play?

Part time with the Rangers or another team, or full time with the Orioles?

Again whats the hold up?

Andy even said as of yesterday they haven't spoken to Vlad lately, and that was when all the other moves had happened for the other suitors.

Once again I wouldn't sleep on the Angel's or the Rangers regardless of the job description. Injuries happen and he could wind up back being a full-time player for those teams.

[Peace21]

I take AM's word over Jim Bowden's.

[Moose Milligan]

They are paying $2+ million to Cust I believe. I doubt they just cut him loose.

No ones saying they'd straight cut him.

[JTrea81]

What about the Jays?

Lind at first, Napoli/Arrencibia at Catcher, Snider in left, Bautista in right, Encarnacion at third, Guerrero at DH.

Putting Juan Rivera on the bench isn't a bad thing. You can't simply say there isn't another team with a spot for him so he must come here if he wants to play full time.

The Jays could sneak in and grab him I suppose, but my guess is Napoli was brought in to DH some as well.

I also doubt they have Rivera's salary on the bench full time.

They seem to want to rotate out that DH spot for different bats, not just have one full time DH.

[El Gordo]

Or perhaps Vlad is waiting on to see what the Angels and Rangers do first.

This! These are slim options that Vlad has besides B'more. By putting it out that he is close to signing with the O's he is trying to prod one of these teams into making an offer. I think he will play anywhere but B'more if possible. These two teams probably aren't offering very much and not gauranteeing as much playing time.

[Richmond Bird 9]

Also, Seattle has Milton Bradley at 12 mil and Jack Cust at 2.5 Mil to D/H and sometimes play LF.

[ChaosLex]

From Roch's comments:

Roch, are there any differences between the O's denial of being close to signing Vlad and their past denials of trading for Adam Jones and being close to signing Derrek Lee other than the fact that it hasn't happened yet? Given Vlad's age and back history, I could see them in total denial mode until after a physical has been completed. Of course, just because they are denying it doesn't mean that it will happen, but it also doesn't mean that it won't.

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Everyone looks for a conspiracy. They weren't close to signing Lee until resuming negotiations with him after the LaRoche talks fell apart. The "reports" during the winter meetings that they were close to signing Lee proved false. Unless some people have a different definition of close. And they weren't going to confirm the Jones trade before it happened. That's the norm. This situation is completely different. No matter what happens from this point forward, they weren't "close" Friday night. If it happens a few weeks from now, people will say "told you so," and they'll be wrong. - Roch

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/01/still-pitching-for-cantu.html

[Moose Milligan]

Also, Seattle has Milton Bradley at 12 mil and Jack Cust at 2.5 Mil to D/H and sometimes play LF.

Cause Milton Bradley is so reliable.

[JTrea81]

Bowden's on next so I'll be listening...

[JTrea81]

From Roch's comments:

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/01/still-pitching-for-cantu.html

Bowden's tweet was that Vlad was close to accepting a deal from the Orioles, not that the Orioles were close to signing Vlad.

The wording is key there. Bowden's source is likely from Guerrero's camp not the Orioles.

[crissfan172]

From Roch's comments:

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/01/still-pitching-for-cantu.html

I love that he said "reports". Is anybody a bigger joke than WNST?

[JTrea81]

Bowden said that his source called him on Friday and had talked to Vlad and based on those conversations the following conclusions were reached by the source:

1. Vlad is resolved to taking a 1 year deal from a non-contender after being disappointed that he couldn't return to the Angels or Rangers.

2. He was going to sign with the Orioles and soon.

His source is close to Vlad and was 100% accurate for the Rangers deal last year so that's why he went ahead and tweeted it.

[crissfan172]

Bowden said Friday that his source called him on Friday and had talked to Vlad and based on those conversations the following conclusions were reached:

1. Vlad is resolved to taking a 1 year deal from a non-contender.

2. He was going to sign with the Orioles and soon.

His source is close to Vlad and was 100% accurate for the Rangers deal last year so that's why he went ahead and tweeted it.

Sounds logical.

We shall see.

[Moose Milligan]

Bowden said Friday that his source called him on Friday and had talked to Vlad and based on those conversations the following conclusions were reached:

1. Vlad is resolved to taking a 1 year deal from a non-contender.

2. He was going to sign with the Orioles and soon.

His source is close to Vlad and was 100% accurate for the Rangers deal last year so that's why he went ahead and tweeted it.

Fair enough. It'll be interesting how it plays out.