Posted by Jorge Arangure Jr.
With a two-out, two-RBI single to center field against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, Angels designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero renewed the faith of those who long had ago dismissed him as a postseason flop. Before Sunday, Guerrero had not had an RBI in 13 postseason games. The at-bat against Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon was classic Guerrero: Swing at the first pitch and hope for the best. Perhaps most important, Guerrero's ability to smack Papelbon's 95 mph fastball shows that he can still contend against the strongest (and fastest) pitchers in the game. Guerrero, although not the feared player he once was, still can contribute.
At the end of this season, the 34-year-old Guerrero will be a free agent for the first time since the run-up to the 2004 season. Although it's very possible Vlad will re-sign with the Angels, it surely will be at a discount from the $15 million he's earned this year.
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Jorge Aranguré
