Vladimir Guerrero piles up the awards
Texas Rangers designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero has won the Edgar Martinez outstanding designated hitter award for his excellence at the plate during the 2010 season. This just adds more to his trophy case, as he already has won a Silver Slugger
award and Major League Baseball Players Choice Comeback Player award.
This season, Guerrero finished with a .300 average and .496 slugging average. He also finished first in the American League among designated hitters in hits with 178, runs batted in with 115, batting average and finished second in home runs.
"It was awesome to watch Vladimir play the game and hit this year," Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton said according to mlb.com. "It was something I have never seen before. You can't teach it. He always has a smile on his face and thinks he can hit anything."
He had an excellent season but has yet to find a team to play for during the 2011 season. He has expressed interest in returning to the Texas Rangers but the Rangers did not pick up the $9 million option on Guerrero for next season. Since they did not pick
the option up, Guerrero wants a long term deal so he can finish out his career in one city, but one has to ask how much time does this veteran have left?
As for the Rangers, they are having enough struggles as it is dealing with their free agents right now. The much sought after Cliff Lee has now gone to arbitration with the Rangers so now Texas will receive two high draft picks should the left hander depart
the Lone Star State.
The Rangers will also have to sign a new catcher, as backups Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez are just that, backups. Now that it is public that Victor Martinez and the Detroit Tigers are close to reaching a deal, the Rangers will have to look elsewhere for
help behind the plate.
As for Guerrero who is a now a free agent entering his 16th year in the major leagues, it would be interesting to see who will pick him up, but with his numbers it appears he could help any of the offensively struggling ball clubs of the American
League.
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