Seven Years Too Late

January 2004
Orioles fans are calling radio stations frantic about the signing that would turn the franchise around. A rising form of online media, web logs, were frenzied with Dundalkian experts writing of the certainty of the next Oriole superstar. The one player that would stop the losing, hit 40 home runs and crush all Yankee hopes of another decade of dominance. A man in the prime of his career poised to write a new chapter in Orioles history.

That man was Vlad Guerrero. And that man signed with the Anaheim Angels, not the Orioles. Our trend of losing wasn't broken, maybe even intensified. This was the first of many notable stars that passed up a rebuilding team for a chance to win a World Series ring (see Mark Teixiera).

Flash Forward
January 2011
Today's signing of Vlad was the latest in the Orioles signings of players at the tail end of their careers. Last years veteran signing of Kevin Millwood being the most notable failure. Miguel Tejada was incapable of rejuvenating the franchise Guerrero is not entrusted with.

If healthy he adds needed protection to a burgeoning lineup, I'm just not sure how he fits on this team. Luke Scott, Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold are vying for time in left field and newly acquired Mark Reynolds and Derrek Lee will combine for all the reps at first base. Guerrero will be entrenched at DH leaving little room for flexibility in the lineup. Scott had a break-out season last year leading the team in home runs, but the rigors of an entire season in the outfield may diminish his power numbers. On paper, a big bat like Guerrero makes sense, but they still have to play the games.

I don't have anything signed from Vlad yet, but will have to remedy that this season.