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

[DrungoHazewood]

I have to say that I'm finding it kind of unbelievable that a player who hit .300 with 29 HR and 115 RBI last year is practically begging for a part-time job somewhere.

I think it points to a large gap between his and his agent's expectations, and those of the scout/analyst/GM community.

[TonySoprano]

I think it points to a large gap between his and his agent's expectations, and those of the scout/analyst/GM community.

According to ESPN insider

Guerrero is likely looking at an offer in the one-year, $4 million range that Jim Thome received from the Twins.

Is that such a big expectation?

[Lateralus]

Is that such a big expectation?

I guess it is for us since we've already close to being "maxed out."

[bej6789]

We're limited financially? Seriously?

If you have enough money to let Joe Jordan do whatever he wants in the draft, you have enough money to sign Vlad to a one year deal. Heyman's usually a mouthpiece for cat and mouse types of games between front office personnel and agents... maybe it's a ploy to get Vlad to realize that he's not getting a better offer than the Orioles?

[utvolzac]

I find it hard to believe $4 million would break the bank to sign Vlad. This team should be able to fund a $85 million payroll comfortably. It's not like we are in the high 90's or triple figures. We aren't that small of a market.

[Frobby]

If you have enough money to let Joe Jordan do whatever he wants in the draft, you have enough money to sign Vlad to a one year deal.

What if it's a choice between the two? $4 mm for the draft/international signings versus $4 mm to sign Vlad for one year?

[Dipper9]

1 Year/4 million.

According to ESPN insider

Is that such a big expectation?

Looks like I hit the nail on the head earlier today. The question is will MacPhail part with 4 million for him? I don't see why not????

[El Gordo]

According to ESPN insider

Is that such a big expectation?

Especially since Thome only got $3 MM

[Frobby]

Manny got 2M. At this point, he'll be lucky to get 4M.

Vlad's value the last 3 seasons, per fangraphs: $11.7 mm, $3.8 mm, $10.6 mm. And he comes with none of the headaches Manny brings. The team that gets Vlad is going to get a steal, IMO.

[Bradysburns]

What if it's a choice between the two? $4 mm for the draft/international signings versus $4 mm to sign Vlad for one year?

Good question. I would say put it toward the draft/international signings. But then I look at our dearth of international signings, and I look at Matt Hobgood, and I say: sign Vlad.

[Bradysburns]

Absolutely.

How many people were on here saying, who cares if we overspent on Gregg?

Well, now you see why.

You could have had Rauch for less, gotten a good pitcher and maybe be in a better position to make a deal.

Yes, I forgot about Rauch. I would have been happy with him on a bargain deal, given the fact that we have Koji to close. Rauch would have been a fine setup man, or middle reliever. When he's healthy, he's good.

But that's water under the bridge now. And again, I like Gregg. But if the choice was Gregg OR Vlad and Rauch, I know what I'd prefer.

[olehippi]

I think the bottom line is that the Orioles don't want or need Vlad Guerrero....at any price. I think MacPhail understands that. He would be a meaningless one-year piece who would not make the Orioles better in the future. In fact, his presence would undoubtably hinder the growth of Pie and/or Reimold. Because Vlad can not longer effectively play in the OF, Scott would have to become the primary LF'er, which may hurt us defensively

[TonySoprano]

Looks like I hit the nail on the head earlier today. The question is will MacPhail part with 4 million for him? I don't see why not????

[CharmCityCrab]

All Guerrerro wants is 1 yr/4 mill? And Angelos won't give it to him?

Honestly, Angelos is lucky that he owns a sports franchise and not a 7-11. With the lack of effort he puts into his product, he'd have gone out of business years ago if he wasn't in a unique industry where people take pride in sticking with their team through thick and thin.

[MatthewW]

Absolutely.

How many people were on here saying, who cares if we overspent on Gregg?

Well, now you see why.

You could have had Rauch for less, gotten a good pitcher and maybe be in a better position to make a deal.

With know how much Buck loved Andino's hat situation...

I can only imagine how much he would love Rauch's SWEET neck tat.