They were wrong on Vlad before don't be wrong again...

In 2004 the Mets were considered the front runners to sign Vladimir Guerrero but ended up low balling the slugger, who signed a five year deal with the Angels. The Mets said they obtained a report that Vlad had a bad back and wouldn't be worth a big contract. Many fans felt that the back was an excuse for not spending money, while Vlad side believed the information was leaked to lower his value...

The players association has asked Major League Baseball to begin an investigation into the amount and source of the medical information on Vladimir Guerrero that the Mets used as their reasoning for not extending him a longer, more lucrative contract offer. source NY Times 1/16/04

Whatever the Mets reasoning they were wrong, Guerrero provided four exceptional years and even in his one down year it was much more then most players could provide. For the first four years of the deal he played over 140 games in which he hit 27 or more home runs, 91 or more RBIs, and hit over .300. As I said even in an off year where he only played 100 games he hit .295, had 15 home runs and 50 RBIs.

The problem is that his down year came this season and it truly looks like he's on the decline. Vlad hasn't played the outfield since early in the season, but according to a report wants to prove he still can. It sounds like Vlad wants to stay on the West coast but unless the Angels re-sign him I don't really see a match, except maybe if he gives the A's a huge discount so he can stay close to home.

The decision isn't entirely his, of course. Guerrero will turn 35 in February and is coming off a season in which he hit only 15 homers and drove in 50 runs -- his lowest totals since 1997. He also said it was "very important" to show he could play in the outfield again after his injuries limited him to designated hitter for all but two games. source LA Times

If Vlad expands the parameters of where he will play, I could see the Mets being tempted. The Mets have tried this before with other outfielders, both Moises Alou and Gary Sheffield were close to signing with the Mets earlier in their careers but ended up going elsewhere. Later in their careers the Mets got them at as discount because of their ages but instead of providing the power they were looking for they ended up being inconsistent due to injuries and defensive liabilities.

Five years ago the Mets made a huge mistake by passing on Vlad but signing him this off-season would not fix that mistake, instead it would compound the issue...

Aside from that obvious point, Guerrero is nothing more than a aging, declining, free swinging, injury prone, defensive liability at this point. Sure Guerrero is a big name, but he belongs nowhere near any National League roster unless he magically becomes 100% healthy. source Jorge Says No