Guerrero Signs With Rangers

Sports News - January 10th, 2010 - Written By Bryan

The Texas Rangers have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Vladimir Guerrero according to multiple outlets.

The deal reportedly pays Guerrero $6 million and is linked with an option for a second year. The Rangers included a $1 million buyout, should the organization decide not to execute the option for 2011.

The Rangers needed a right-handed bat in the heart of their order and Guerrero fits the profile. He is likely to be the designated hitter in the lineup. The official announcement will be made later this week following a physical.

Guerrero's agent said this off-season that his longtime client was going to completely refocus and dedicate himself, getting back into playing shape following an assortment of injuries that has plagued the veteran.

The 34 year-old played in 100 of the 162 games for the L.A Angels last season, in which most appearances were in the designated hitter role. He had a career low batting average of .295, and had 15 homers and 50 RBI's for the team. His .334 on-base-percentage was also the lowest of his career.

The eight-time All-Star has had some success at Rangers Ballpark, with a career batting average of .394. He also has 14 home runs and 33 RBI's in 50 appearances at the stadium.

The deal was made possible due to the little interest the Angels showed in re-signing Guerrero for the 2010 season. He was placed on the disabled list twice during the 2009 season. The Angels added Hideki Matsui and retained Bobby Abreu which left no place for Guerrero.

Last season, the Rangers finished 10-game behind the Angels in the AL West Division race.

Guerrero has been a long time nemesis to the Rangers and now switches sides. At one point in his career, he had a 44-game hitting streak against Texas, which is a MLB Baseball record for the longest hitting streak for any one player against one team.