Free agent slugger Vladimir Guerrero worked out for the Cleveland Indians Monday. Things must have gone well enough, as Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes tweeted that the Indians had Guerrero back for a second look on Tuesday. Cleveland is looking to add outfield depth before their regular season begins, and the Tribe had Guerrero shagging fly balls as part of his workout.
After Monday’s workout, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti told reporters that Guerrero requested the screening. It’s not clear who set up the second workout, but the Indians must have seen something they like if they brought Guerrero back Tuesday.
Antonetti said that while Guerrero hasn’t recently manned the outfield, the Indians had him hit and take fly balls as part of his workout.
This would only seem to be a fit if Guerrero is still deemed able to play a corner outfield spot. At some points it looks as if Guerrero’s unable to leg out a single much less track a fly ball.
Guerrero hasn’t started more than 16 games in the outfield since the 2008 season. Since then, the 37-year-old has only started 18 games in either left or right field. Last season Guerrero was solely used as a designated hitter by the Baltimore Orioles.
ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted that it will be difficult for the Indians to carry two DH-type players in Guerrero and Travis Hafner.
Guerrero has said that he’d travel to Japan to play this season if there’s not an MLB club willing to take a flyer on him. The willingness to play and ability to hit are likely there, Guerrero just hasn’t been able to find the right fit this offseason. It remains TBD if Cleveland will give the former MVP a shot.
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