Vlad Guerrero

[DaaBoTownSox]

First this:

Vladimir Guerrero, working his way toward the majors after signing a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, has given the team an ultimatum, sources told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com.

"Vlad and the Blue Jays had a sort of deadline to bring him to the majors and that time just passed, without that happening," a source said. "The Blue Jays have to decide today if they want him or not, but Guerrero will not return to (a) minor league."

The deadline between Guerrero and Toronto was this past Sunday, but it was moved ahead one day because the slugger missed a game after being hit by a pitch on his hand Saturday.

After going 4-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs for Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Guerrero gathered his belongings and went to his home in Anaheim, Calif.

"Guerrero is ready to play today in the big leagues," a source close to the nine-time All-Star said.

Guerrero, 37, batted .358 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 12 minor league games with the Blue Jays' organization. He agreed to a pro-rated deal last month with a base salary of $1.3 million.

The American League MVP in 2004, Guerrero has batted .318 with 449 homers and 1,496 RBIs during his 16-year career in the majors. He spent last season with the Baltimore Orioles, batting .290 with 13 homers and 63 RBI.

Now this:

The Blue Jays have released Vladimir Guerrero at his request, the team announced. The 37-year-old outfielder issued the team an ultimatum earlier today, and they decided to release him rather than call him up the big leagues. Bean Stringfellow, Vlad's agent, said his client is not retiring and will seek employment elsewhere.

Soon after joining the Blue Jays' organization, Guerrero hit four homers in four games at Class A Dunedin. He was then promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he collected four hits last night after a slow start. Guerrero has 2,590 hits, 449 homers and a .318/.379/.553 line in 16 big league seasons. In 590 plate appearances with the Orioles last year, the nine-time All-Star posted a .290/.317/.416 line with 13 homers. He drew interest from the Diamondbacks,Indians and Marlins earlier this year.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/0...edium=facebook

[DaaBoTownSox]

Why wasn't he already up?

[yankeebiscuitfan]

I don't know. But on the other hand, he is a pro. He should accept the fact that they don't call him up because they don't need him on the 25-man roster.

Maybe he should realize that his MLB days are over. Who is interested in a player with ailing knees?

[Switch Pitcher Coach]

The Jays are used to controlling players in the Dominican Republic, bad habits die hard.