Blue Jays sign Vladimir Guerrero

[Cowtipper]

He's going back to Canada.

Vladimir Guerrero on Thursday signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 2004 AL MVP will head to the Blue Jays' extended spring training program in Dunedin, Fla., to be evaluated by the medical staff and undergo a physical.

If he passes the physical, Guerrero will play in some minor league games before being promoted to major league level, where he will earn a prorated portion of a $1.3 million salary.

Read more:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7916601/vladimir-guerrero-inks-minor-league-deal-toronto-blue-jays

In other news, the Red Sox signed Mark Prior.

[bluejaysfan4ever]

I'm not sure if Vlad is going to help, considering he's on the downside of his career (.291 avg last year with Baltimore was still decent, but nowhere near where he was in his prime). I'd say keep him in the minors to see if Lind turns around, if not then get rid of Lind and call him up.

[KCGHOST]

Doesn't make much sense as Guerrero can't play the field anymore.

[dominik]

Doesn't make much sense as Guerrero can't play the field anymore.

He will be a DH, pinch hitter and make a couple of spot starts in LF I think. he won't be a regular.

[bluesky5]

Good for him. :cap: If he plays next year he might get 500. Doubt it this year, unless he absolutely explodes.

[redban]

He's 51 HR away from 500. There's no explosion large enough to get him there this year.

But I'm glad to see him signed with a team.

Future Hall of Famer, regardless of what happen next in his career.

[UnderPressure]

Random question: Did he pick up any French during his stint with the Expos?

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

Vlad is one of my favorite players and I wish him the best. During his younger years, he was a genuine ballplayer who played the game with a lot of heart. He's slowed down a bit but I still enjoy watching him throw.

[bluesky5]

He's 51 HR away from 500. There's no explosion large enough to get him there this year.

But I'm glad to see him signed with a team.

Future Hall of Famer, regardless of what happen next in his career.

Yea, I distinctly remember thinking he was 23 away when I posted that. Don't know what I was thinking, looking at? I even checked BB-Ref before I posted it.

[Cowtipper]

Yea, I distinctly remember thinking he was 23 away when I posted that. Don't know what I was thinking, looking at? I even checked BB-Ref before I posted it.

He's 23 doubles away from 500.

[ol' aches and pains]

Random question: Did he pick up any French during his stint with the Expos?

Hey, his private life is none of our business!

[SamtheBravesFan]

Hey, his private life is none of our business!

Bazinga!

Excellent one, sir.

[John Shoemaker]

Good move by the Blue Jays - I hope to see Vlad on the team soon.

[GiambiJuice]

I think Vlad's days as a useful ballplayer are over, but he's only 1 HR and 4 RBI shy of 450 and 1,500 respectively, both very significant milestones. It will be nice to see him reach those.

[brett]

Vlad is one of my favorite players and I wish him the best. During his younger years, he was a genuine ballplayer who played the game with a lot of heart. He's slowed down a bit but I still enjoy watching him throw.

I remember Alou in 2000 claiming that he would be in the top 5 in the MVP race every year for the next decade. He never quite developed in the field, as a baserunner or as a selective hitter though.