Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reported yesterday that free agent slugger Vladimir Guerrero worked out for Cleveland Indians scouts at the team’s baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. Earlier in the day, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweeted that the Indians were seeking a right-handed bat to complement their left-handed hitting lineup.
Morosi’s tweet had the Indians targeting a left or center fielder. Since it became evident that Grady Sizemore would start the regular season on the disabled list, Cleveland has been on the prowl for an additional outfielder. Morosi added the idea is that Michael Brantley would cover left or center field depending on the position of the player the Indians add.
Guerrero’s outfield playing days seem to have passed, as the 37-year-old hasn’t manned the diamond since 2010. Still, Guerrero is a right-handed bat and has a career OPS of .972 against left-handed pitching.
Last season for the Baltimore Orioles Guerrero hit at a clip of .290/.317/.416 with 13 home runs and 30 doubles. The veteran managed an OPS north of .840 as recently as 2010 when, as a member of the Texas Rangers, he totaled 29 home runs and 27 doubles.
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