Major League Baseball

Vladimir Guerrero signs with Jays

Published May. 10, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

Vladimir Guerrero has signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The deal, first reported from major league sources, was announced Thursday by the Blue Jays before a four-game series at Minnesota.

Guerrero, 37, will go to extended spring training with the Jays and proceed from there. His deal, worth $1.3 million, will be prorated over his time spent in the majors.

Guerrero ultimately can serve as a designated hitter, with Edwin Encarnacion at first.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos, speaking on a conference call, cautioned there's no guarantee the 37-year-old will join the major league team.

''I understand obviously it's big news because it's who Vladimir Guerrero is, a likely Hall of Famer and so on, but it's a minor league contract,'' Anthopoulos said. ''There are no assurances.''

The signing puts first baseman Adam Lind on notice. He was dropped in the batting order Wednesday from fourth to eighth.

The American League MVP in 2004, Guerrero has 449 home runs and a batting average of .318 for his career.

Last season, with the Baltimore Orioles, Guerrero hit .290, his lowest average since he broke into the majors with a .185 mark in nine games with the Montreal Expos and the end of the 1996 season.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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