Texas Rangers Sign Vladimir Guerrero to Contract

Vladimir Guerrero signed with the Texas Rangers on a one-year contract. The contract that Guerrero signed with the Texas Rangers also has a second year that is a mutual option, with the Rangers retaining a $1 million buyout if they decide not to pick up the second year of the deal. The contract looks pretty good for both sides, because the Rangers get the designated hitter they were looking for at a discount, and Vladimir Guerrero stands to make a lot more money if he can reach certain milestones during the first year of the contract. The base salary for the first year of the contract will pay Guerrero a guaranteed $6 million from the Texas Rangers.

Though a lot of the details about the contract have not been revealed, there is more than $5 million that Vladimir Guerrero can earn through performance incentives during the 2010 MLB season. Typically these are put in place for a player returning from injury, giving them the chance to really go out and earn their salary rather than just get paid a huge chunk of money in the hopes that they return to form.

Sometimes the incentives are based on how many at-bats or games played that the player can get during the regular season, but it could also include bonus money for hitting a certain number of home runs, making the All-Star team, or placing in the MVP voting at the end of the season.

One of the big reasons that the Texas Rangers wanted to sign him was because they needed a good power hitting designated hitter, but it also doesn't hurt that Guerrero has found a lot of success hitting at Rangers Ballpark in Texas.

Vladimir Guerrero is a career .394 hitter there in 50 games he had played for the Angels. During his career Vladimir Guerrero has hit 407 home runs to go with 1,318 RBI and a .321 career batting average. He also had 175 stolen bases that he put up when his legs were better. With 2,249 career hits, he has placed himself just outside the door of being a true Baseball Hall of Fame candidate, and if he can put up a few more great years with the Rangers he could be knocking on that door very soon.

Sources:

Guerrero Signs w/Rangers

Guerrero Player Stats