Rangers in serious talks with Guerrero

The Rangers and Vladimir Guerrero are in serious talks on a deal that could guarantee him about $5 million, sources say.

Guerrero, a .396 career hitter against the Rangers, has been pursued from the start of the winter by Texas. His other possible offers or even suitors aren't known, but he has made an average of $15 million a year for the past six years and was reported by T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com to be "not particularly happy with the Rangers' offer.'' Texas' bid is also thought to have included some incentives.

Guerrero's longtime agent, Fern Cuza, said earlier this winter that his client was planning to rededicate himself to improving his physical condition after a difficult season in which he batted .295 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs. Guerrero is a lifetime .321 hitter who has a career .568 slugging percentage. Against Texas, he's even better, with a slugging mark of .666. In games played at Texas, he is a bit better than that, with a .705 slugging percentage there.

The Rangers seek a righthanded bat and are also believed to have interest in Jermaine Dye.