| Vlad |
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Vladimir
Guerrero is the jewel of this offseason, the subject
of half the rumors and nearly all the ones that don't involve the
Yankees or Red Sox. Consistently in the top tenth of all hitters,
he's a classic five-tool player. Naturally, I thought he was headed
to Baltimore when it became apparent that carpetbagger Frank McCheap's
bid for the Dodgers had encountered repeated trouble, and after the
Angels had essentially said they weren't in the mix for him after
picking up power pitcher (and innings horse) Bartolo Colón.
The Orioles made a $65 million, five-year bid. The Mets went for
fewer years, but more money up front. Still Vlad stayed unsigned;
speculation was that Vlad wanted more years. Rumors started to swirl
that the O's had set a 48-hour clock to ticking, to force Vlad into
signing or not, preferably before the Dodgers could have a chance to
bid after their ownership situation became clear.
Then, it all unraveled. Vlad's agents informed the Mets he had signed
with a mystery team.
The Angels.
Oh my God and Jesus as well! I'm only now coming down from this. The
best hitter in the offseason, in an Angels uniform.
Aye, but his back... may the saints preserve it.
Meantime, McCourt fiddles while the Dodgers stumble toward spring
training. My heart grows heavy for them.