Now Batting Clean-Up: Vladimir Guerrero

If you can’t beat ‘em, sign ‘em!  Vladimir Guerrero has killed Rangers pitchers for years, especially at Rangers Ballpark.  But now when the former Angels slugger steps into the batter’s box in Arlington, he’ll do so as the clean-up hitter the home team.  The Rangers signed Guerrero to a one-year deal for $5.5 million.

Guerrero’s deal also includes a mutual option for 2011 worth $9 million and an additional $900,000 in 2010 in bonuses for days on the active roster.

In 50 games at Rangers Ballpark as a member of the Angels, Guerrero totaled a .384 batting average with 14 home runs and 33 RBI.  Overall in 102 games against the Rangers, he hit .396 with 24 homers..

“I feel good and I’ve had a lot of success hitting here,” Guerrero, through a translator, told reporters at Rangers Ballpark during his introductory press conference.  “I’m hoping to help the team win.  I want to stay healthy and do the same things I’ve done on the field.”

What he’s done is the past has been amazing.  Guerrero, who turns 35 years old in Febraury, has recorded at least 100 RBI in 9 seasons.  He won the American League’s Most Valuable Player award in 2004.    He has a .321 career batting average which is 4th highest among all active players.  Guerrero also has slugged 407 career home runs and 1,318 RBI’s.

“He’s just made me as a manager look better, he just made the Texas Ranges as a team look better,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Guerrero.  “I think he made every one of the players in that lineup that go to war with him every night look better.”

Washington plans to use Guerrero as the designated hitter in the cleanup spot in the Rangers lineup.

“I’m very excited, it’s not often you get an opportunity to put a bat like that in your lineup,” noted Washington.  “I just want him to do what he does all the time, hit the baseball and find some holes.”

“We’ve been on the bad end of this man’s beatings for the last six years,” said Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.  “We’ve taken some serious beatings from him.  We’re pretty excited to watch him dole some of those out in our uniform.”