Blue Jays sign Vladimir Guerrero to a minor league contract

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Toronto Blue Jays announced on Thursday that the team would sign veteran outfielder Vladimir Guerrero to a minor league deal.

Guerrero, 37, is a 16-year major-league veteran who did not sign with a team this off-season. He has a lifetime batting average of .318 with 449 home runs and 1,496 RBIs. He previously played for Baltimore in 2011, posting a .290 batting average with 13 homers and 65 RBIs, and for Texas in 2010 after six productive seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. His illustrious career all started in Montreal, where he played for eight seasons before being acquired as a free agent by the Angels. He was the recipient of the American League MVP in 2004 and eight Silver Slugger awards, while being selected to nine All-Star game.

The 9-time All-Star 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.

It is still undetermined whether Guerrero would be in the starting lineup or the bench, but the Jays could really use Guerrero’s right-handed bat with good power to come off the bench in late-inning games or to possibly platoon with Adam Lind. 

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