the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 *does the Vlad is out of the NL East dance* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 And of course, another report says it could be the Dodgers. I'd disregard all rumors until its official. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NYU 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 And of course, another report says it could be the Dodgers. I'd disregard all rumors until its official. Perhaps this means he'll sign with the Mets then?! *crosses fingers* ...... *uncrosses fingers* *has strong desire to kick Fred Wilpon in his nuts* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners are trying to boost their offense, and Rich Aurilia is confident he can help. The Mariners agreed to a $3.15 million, one-year contract Thursday with the free-agent shortstop, then traded Carlos Guillen to the Detroit Tigers for Ramon Santiago and minor league shortstop Juan Gonzalez. "Seattle was always my choice of the teams that were interested," Aurilia said. "I knew they had an immediate chance to win. A one-year deal should be added incentive, get me working really hard so I can get an extension." Aurilia can make an additional $350,000 in performance bonuses. The 32-year-old Aurilia has spent eight seasons with the San Francisco Giants, hitting .277 last season despite a problem with the tear duct in his left eye that made it difficult to wear contact lenses. His best year was 2001, when he hit .324 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs. He should provide more punch for a team that hit .271 last season and slumped at the plate late in the season. Aurilia has a career hitting average of .278 and a career fielding average of .972. After his "dry eye" problem was corrected near midseason, Aurilia hit .312 in the second half. "I had some injury problems, just some weird things that kept me out of the lineup and affected me offensively," he said. "I look forward to going out and re-establishing myself as one of the top offensive shortstops in baseball." The acquisition gives Seattle an overhauled left side for 2004. The Mariners also added free agents Scott Spiezio at third base and Raul Ibanez in left field, moving Randy Winn to center field. The 28-year-old Guillen hit .276 in 109 games last season, splitting time at shortstop and third base. He nearly was traded last month but a deal with the Indians for shortstop Omar Vizquel couldn't be completed. The Tigers were among teams vying for Aurilia, but the situation worked out well for president and general manager Dave Dombrowski. "We're very happy because we've been trying to add a shortstop throughout the winter," he said. "Now our double-play combination is Carlos Guillen and Fernando Vina, and we feel encouraged about that." Guillen has been slowed by minor injuries during his five years in the majors. He saw action in only nine games last July because of an inflamed pelvis and did a rehabilitation assignment in the minors. During the winter meetings, the Mariners signed Guillen to a one-year $2.5 million contract that included up to $900,000 in performance bonuses. He had been eligible for salary arbitration. Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi has said over the past month the team would consider anything to boost its offense, so trading Guillen doesn't come as a huge surprise. On the other hand, Bavasi emphasized there were no concerns about bringing Guillen back. "When we signed Carlos, it was with the understanding he was a starting shortstop in the major leagues," Bavasi said. "It's not like we signed Rich to run Carlos off." In another move, Seattle agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Pat Borders, who has spent the past three seasons in the Mariners system. Borders, who turns 41 in May, was the only Seattle free agent who was offered salary arbitration, but he rejected it. He would get a $500,000, one-year contract if he is added to the 40-man roster. Dombrowski acknowledged reports indicating the Tigers are vying to sign free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez. He declined to say whether Detroit was interested in signing Rodriguez. "You always want to get better, but that has not been our focus," he said. "Our focus has been at shortstop. Now that we have acquired one, we will look for other ways to improve our club." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Please don't be true, please don't be true, please don't be true. Fuck...kneejerk reaction, the Angels just bought themselves the A.L. West title. With the wildcard almost a lock to come out of the East...damnit A's are fucked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I don't think the Wild Card is a lock, not when they play drastically different schedules. Besides, are the Angels really all that good, even with Vlad Guerrero? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I think their lineup would be real solid with Vlad. They signed Colon too...and they've got a decent pitching staff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 What is their rotation? Colon Washburn Escobar Ortiz Lackey While solid, that doesn't exactly strike fear in my heart. Then the lineup would have Vlad, Garrett Anderson, and what else? God only knows what Troy Glaus is going to turn into. Also, I don't think you can say you are fucked when you have the big three in your rotation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I love Vlad, but I wouldn't concede the AL West to the Angels just because he goes there. Although him going out west was what I wanted when the Expos didn't offer him arbitration, so him with either the Angels or Dodgers is fine by me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Sporting News Radio just said Vlad signed with the Angels...but they are waiting for more info. If this is true...I guess I finally have an actual baseball team to root for. Baseball is and always has been my favorite sport...and Vlad is my favorite player. Since I never got to see Montreal play more than a handful of games a year I couldn't really call them "my team"...Now maybe that can change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Fuck...kneejerk reaction, the Angels just bought themselves the A.L. West title. I don't think so Seattle and Oakland aren't out of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big McLargeHuge 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I hate the Angels. And the Dodgers. I hope Vlad spits in both their faces and signs with the Brewers or something. Fuck 'em. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Well again its a kneejerk reaction so let me be miserable for now. Thing is I've thought for a while its going to be the A's and Angels for the West next year as the offseason of the Mariners has just been horrendous and they were looking like an aging team on the decline the 2nd half of the season last year. Angels had a ton of problems last year from injuries, to their starting pitching that overachieved in 2002 came down to earth, and their offense was a huge dissapointment (11th in the league in runs). Now they had addressed their starting pitching but ya know of course it still doesn't come close to the A's. Their offense they hadn't really done anything to improve it beyond adding Jose Guillen but I think most would concede last year was his career year (OPS+ of 141 after his previous career high was 88!). That being said their offense was going to improve almost by default this year, assuming Darrin Erstad and Troy Glaus stay upright. Now that they add Vlad they have found someone who could make a significant improvement to their offense. Of course he has problems staying healthy but if the Angels can stay healthy I think they are a pretty scary team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Is there actually a realistic chance of Darin Erstad staying healthy? I thought that year he had a couple years ago (where he had a ton of hits) was the aberration. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Well again its a kneejerk reaction so let me be miserable for now. No one ever allows me to be miserable.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Of course he has problems staying healthy but if the Angels can stay healthy I think they are a pretty scary team. Not really, last year was the first time since his rookie season that he missed significant time because of injury. Even then, it didn't really seem to affect him at all when he came back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Yeah...but the Mets are yammering about how bad his back is looking at medical reports. I understand the Mets reservations...as they've had injuries all over... But he finished the season strong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Remember that back injuries alot of the time are nagging or recurring. So I can't blame the Mets or any team for approaching Guerrero with caution. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Works for me...I didn't want him to go to the Mets anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Remember that back injuries alot of the time are nagging or recurring. We certainly learned that the hard way in the World Series. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OctoberBlood Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Angels are gonna win the West next year. Mark my words. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I'll mark those words and stick by my prediction. The Athletics will win the American League West. Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, and Mark Mulder all pitched better than Bartolo Colon last season. And Kelvim Escobar was the only other starter to pitch better than league average last season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 (edited) Where the hell did the Angels even COME from??? Talk about just springing a deal. Also, the O's are now talking with Ponson and considering he didn't already sign with anyone I get the feeling he was waiting on Baltimore. He loves playing with them and was happy they traded him to a World Series contender for the rest of last season while they worked up a contract for this season. As for Vlad....whatever. I knew he wasn't going to on the Orioles when he didn't sign in December. Edited January 11, 2004 by 2GOLD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 With Tim Salmon, Jose Guillen, Vlad, and Darin Erstad all signed through 2005, I think the Angels are sure of trading Garret Anderson in the near future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 With Tim Salmon, Jose Guillen, Vlad, and Darin Erstad all signed through 2005, I think the Angels are sure of trading Garret Anderson in the near future. Maybe to Baltimore? Could send Cust and Roberts to the Angels for Anderson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest drdrainoscott Report post Posted January 11, 2004 See, I knew Vlad was a lier. Didn't he say that he didn't want to play for an AL team and he wanted six or seven years and he wanted to go to a city with a strong Latin American population? Since when are there a lot of Latin Americans in Anaheim? I mean, I guess he could live in LA and commute, but thats at least an hour drive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 See, I knew Vlad was a lier. Didn't he say that he didn't want to play for an AL team and he wanted six or seven years and he wanted to go to a city with a strong Latin American population? Since when are there a lot of Latin Americans in Anaheim? I mean, I guess he could live in LA and commute, but thats at least an hour drive. Well, what he wanted and what he gets are two different things. It doesn't make Vlad a liar. Besides, I never heard him say anything personally. Just his agent. By the way, does Anaheim count as a big city? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 11, 2004 By the way, does Anaheim count as a big city? Compared to the real big cities (NY, LA, Chicago?) No. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I don't think anyone signing anyone makes them a lock to win their divison or the WC. A string of bad luck can hit any given time without warning and totally derail them. Look at the Angels last year, who were hit with injury after injury until it took them out of playoff contention by the All-Star break. Vlad signing with them will be a big boost, but by no means wins them the WC or division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 It's all water under the bridge fellas. We all know that the Marlins are going to repeat as champs this year. Look for my official prediction of this when they are 5 behind the Phils in late June. But according to the Sports Guy, I have a five year grace period where I can't complain about anything because my team won the title. So, no matter what happens this year, I can't really bitch. I can merely throw on my 2003 Florida Marlins World Champions hat and watch the World series DVD. Pitchers and Catchers report in about a month!!! And I'm moving to Berkeley mid baseball season, so I'll be able to catch some A's and Giants games! Looking like a great season. Al, drove past the Phils stadium on christmas morning. Looking sweet as can be. My girlfriend lives right across the bridge in Jersey. She knows someone who got a tour and that person said it was incredible. It's looking very, very nice. So yeah...Go Marlins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
