Heyman: Alex Guerrero Has Drawn Interest from Seven Teams

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports via USA TODAY Sports

Bids for the services of the power-hitting middle infielder have been made

Yesterday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that as many as seven teams could be interested in the services of Cuban middle infielder Alex Guerrero. Guerrero supposedly had a five-year, $32 million deal in place with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but issues regarding Guerrero’s representation led to MLB nixing the deal.

No need to fear. Guerrero is now represented by Scott Boras. With that, it should be no surprise that Guerrero now wants a better deal than the one he originally received from the Dodgers.

In Heyman’s report, he lists only five of the seven teams. In addition, Heyman notes most teams view Guerrero as a second baseman even though he has previously played shortstop.

Let’s look at the five teams Heyman mentions.

1. Boston Red Sox
The Sawx have Dustin Pedroia, just named by the Fielding Bible as the second baseman with the highest DRS among 2B for the 2013 season. Seems highly unlikely Pedroia is going anywhere especially since he signed an extension for another eight years just this past July. That includes a position switch.

Boston could try Guerrero at short. They dealt Jose Iglesias to Detroit and Stephen Drew, another Boras client, will be a free agent once Boston’s season is over.

2. San Francisco Giants
Marco Scutaro is signed through 2015, but he had his 2013 cut short due to injuries. The Giants have Brandon Crawford at short. Not a big stick there, but Crawford is pretty darn sound defensively. Unless GM Brian Sabean can find the means to move either Scutaro or Crawford (might prefer the aging Scutaro), heading to the Bay doesn’t make much sense.

3. Texas Rangers
This one baffles me the most. The Rangers have Ian Kinsler at second and Elvis Andrus at shortstop. Both have big deals. There’s also Jurickson Profar waiting in the wings. Of course, GM Jon Daniels could attempt to move one of the three previously mentioned. Even if you could move one, you still have a surplus in the middle infield.

Can’t move one to third either. Adrian Beltre is a Ranger until 2015 at least. Well, again, unless there’s a deal.

4. Cincinnati Reds
If there’s one player people recognize as being a Red, it’s second baseman Brandon Phillips. BP is signed through the 2017 season. The route the Reds would likely choose is have Guerrero move to shortstop. Be a better offensive option from the position, but Zack Cozart is one of the NL’s better fielding shortstops.

GM Walt Jocketty took a chance in having Shin-Soo Choo move from right to center, but would he be willing to try the same with the middle of his infield?

5. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers honestly make the most sense. If you head to the Dodgers’ website, Mark Ellis is atop the depth chart among second basemen. He will be a free agent after this season. The others listed as second basemen: Skip Schumaker and Nick Punto. Don’t think I need to elaborate there.

Also, if the Dodgers sign Guerrero, no need to go after Robinson Cano. Magic would save himself a few bucks.