Vlad signs with Orioles

[Neato Torpedo]

What an offseason for the O's!

[mweir145]

I don't understand this signing.

Offensively, Guerrero is a shell of what he once and was awful in the 2nd half last year. Even if the Orioles did have a chance to do anything, he's not worth this money.

I think you're overselling Guerrero's fall off, he still managed 119 RBIs last season. In the real world, that is immensely valuable. Granted his first/second halves were lopsided, but I think a 100 RBI season is well within reach.

If RBIs told you anything about the real value of a player, you might be on to something.

But they don't.

[ensanimal]

I don't understand this signing.

Offensively, Guerrero is a shell of what he once and was awful in the 2nd half last year. Even if the Orioles did have a chance to do anything, he's not worth this money.

I think you're overselling Guerrero's fall off, he still managed 119 RBIs last season. In the real world, that is immensely valuable. Granted his first/second halves were lopsided, but I think a 100 RBI season is well within reach.

If RBIs told you anything about the real value of a player, you might be on to something.

But they don't.

To the casual fans they may be trying to attract they do.

[wrveres]

As a result of the Baltimore Orioles signing DH Vladimir Guerrero, DH/OF Luke Scott will become the team's starting left fielder, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. OFs Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold will battle for the Orioles' fourth outfielder role

[Grounded Polo]

Maybe having one of the greatest hitters of his generation on the team will finally allow Baltimore to develop their young guys on offense like Markakis, Wieters, etc. Their hitting development has been a train wreck for years, they could learn more just from watching Vladdy on a day to day basis.

[wrveres]

by watching him swing at pitches that bounce in the dirt?

[Neato Torpedo]

Outfielder Adam Jones, who is working on a more disciplined approach at the plate, shared his thoughts about Guerrero's hitting.

"You can't hit everything," he said. "The thing is, I feel like I can, like Guerrero. He swings at everything, but he hits it hard as hell."

http://www.pressboxonline.com/blog.cfm?id=3136

[Grounded Polo]

by watching him swing at pitches that bounce in the dirt?

Nick Markakis will have someone to pattern his game after.

[SpecialFNK]

according to some Baltimore fans, look out the Orioles are now contenders in the East.
I'll believe it when I see it. they haven't won 70 since 2006.

both Vlad and Lee are on 1 year deals. if/when they are not in contention, do one or both of these guys get traded? or are they worth holding on to and losing as free agents to get draft pick compensation?

[dooz]

This is bad news for Reimold. Pie is a good 4th OF but that's it imo.

Reimold at least has shown upside to be a serviceable regular. I forget the specific injury (ankle i think) but I believe injuries were a large contributor for his poor performance. I think he could have a few 25/10/.275/.800 type seasons (Werth-lite?) which certainly is useful but he needs a full-season of ABs.

At the same time, the O's offense looks pretty potent. The AL East is pretty balanced this year. If they hit and the young pitchers show progress, I could see this team hanging around in the playoff hunt into july/august. The O's front office must think that's good enough to reinvigorate an increasingly apathetic fan-base and justifies overpaying for over-the-hill vets like Vlad.