DODGERS The ALEX GUERRERO Thread

Hadn't heard that, man I hope we get this guy and he really is the next big thing.

 

It was a podcast hosted by Ben Badler and John Manuel (?) where they were primarily talking about Jose Abreu.

Maybe I misunderstood what they were saying but I'm pretty sure I didn't. lol

 

If he just signed when he said he would he'd be filling in for Hanley : P

 

He didn't get cleared in time to play in the playoffs, if I'm not mistaken.

 

Dodgers To Sign Alexander Guerrero
By Steve Adams [October 21 at 11:12am CST]

11:12am: Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports, also via Twitter, that $10MM of the $28MM guarantee will be paid to Guerrero in the form of a signing bonus.

10:48am: The Dodgers have agreed to terms with Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero on a four-year, $28MM contract that could reach $32MM via incentives, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez (on Twitter).

Early reports that pegged the Dodgers and Guerrero agreeing to a seven-year, $32MM pact proved to be premature. More recently, it was reported that he was nearing a five-year, $32MM contract with the Dodgers after switching over to agent Scott Boras, but bidding wassaid to be "wide open" once again shortly thereafter.

By talking the Dodgers down to four years at a similar (and potentially identical) guarantee, Boras has managed to commit only his client's age-27 through age-30 seasons. Guerrero, who will turn 27 this December, will be able to hit the open market entering his age-31 season, which should allow him to sign another strong contract if he is able to live up to his potential.

Guerrero batted .290/.402/.576 with 21 home runs in 328 plate appearances in his final season in Cuba's Serie Nacional. That line, along with the .316/.406/.586 that he slashed from 2010-12 in his age 23-25 seasons (h/t: Obstructed View), was enough for Boras to compare Guerrero's power to that of Dan Uggla. While that comp should be taken with a grain of salt, the bar is set pretty low for Guerrero in the Majors, at least among his new peers; Major League second basemen slugged just .376 this year as a group. It should also be noted that Ben Badler of Baseball America did call right-handed power Guerrero's best tool in his late July scouting report (BA subscription required and recommended).

Guerrero also drew interest from the Giants, Rangers, Red Sox, Twins and Reds, but ultimately wound up signing with the first team to which he was connected. With this agreement, the Dodgers seem to have taken themselves out of the running for Robinson Cano, though they could conceivably move Hanley Ramirez to third base and play Guerrero at shortstop. That seems unlikely, as it has long been rumored that the team has no intentions of pursuing Canoon the free agent market, and partial owner Magic Johnson controversially confirmed that thinking to reporters earlier this month.
Guerrero's signing also seems to point to the fact that Mark Ellis' $5.75MM club option will be declined in favor of a $1MM buyout.

Guerrero is the second major Cuban star to sign in the past week, as the White Sox recently signed first baseman Jose Dariel Abreu to a record-setting six-year, $68MM contract.

 

Well I guess that solves the riddle of 2B...later Mark Ellis. So, I'm not to happy about this because to me it is an unknown what this guy can do. I guess the same thing can be said about any FA or trade but especially with a Cuban player.
I just hope he has a better grasp of the game than Puig. I cannot handle another Puig, but with seemingly far less raw talent. I see this guy as a huge strikeout guy with some HR power and low OBP vs. MLB pitching. Frankly that's not what I wanted in a 2B. I wanted a player that hits and gets onbase, not a Juan Uribe or Uggla type.

 

I think we could sign MEllis back... 5M is nothing, and if Guerrero can play 3B, I would take Ellis solid D at 2B...

although, h did missed a couple hard grounders that could have been out vs the Cards...

 

Not so fast..there's the outside chance we actually signed Guerrero for SS, Hanley to 3B, and Cano at 2B.

 

Wasn't the knock on Guerrero his arm strength hence the move to 2B?

Could Cano play SS is the bigger question...

 

Alex Guerrero looks like a 2B at most to me.

 

Yay yay (Ice Cube voice). Awesome news to start the day.

 

doubt it... but it would be nice...

 

Nice. Puts us out of the Cano sweepstakes unless they want to try Guerrero at SS, move Hanley to 3B. Don't see/want it happening, though.

 

Rolling already!!!

 

I'm not so sure that Mark will not be re-signed because who knows what this kid can do. I'd rather err on the side of caution and keep Mark at that number, I'm just glad we are hitting the ground running and not stopping trying to improve.

1:15pm: Guerrero will indeed be a free agent following the conclusion of his contract and won't be eligible for arbitration, according to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times. Hernandez adds that the contract contains a clause that prevents the Dodgers from sending Guerrero to the minor leagues without his consent after the first year of the contract (Twitterlinks).

The Dodger brass must REALLY like him to do this. I guess we are all in.

 

wonderful signing. WON-DER-FUL. a righty bat with good power to help us against lefties.

something makes me think that this deal was probably already in place...they probably just wanted to show Mark Ellis some respect by not announcing it during the playoff run. could've possibly ruined the clubhouse feel as well since Ellis is so respected. hope we can keep Ellis as a backup