The Toronto Blue Jays are playing a dangerous game with Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and it’s one they can’t afford to lose. While other teams lock down their stars with eye-watering deals, the Jays seem content fumbling their way through negotiations like a rookie trying to hit a 100 mph fastball. If incompetence had a Hall of Fame, this front office might be first-ballot inductees.
At this point, the Blue Jays are doing everything possible to not sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr., at least that’s how it looks. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the face of that franchise and has been for a long time. After recent events, it looks like that doesn’t matter. Other than maybe Anthony Santander, the Jays have no one to mash balls.
An MLB insider named Ben Nicholson-Smith says that the Blue Jays have got their cards wrong. He said, “Guerrero Jr.’s latest comments weren’t shocking but are still interesting.”
Smith was surprised when Guerrero Jr. talked about his contract with ESPN’s Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez after he said he was not going to. But he did and he was explicit about seeking a long term contract from the Blue Jays. Say something also the lines of Juan Soto’s 15-year deal with the Mets. However, he asked for a lower average annual value than Soto, who signed for $765 million at an AAV of $51 million.
“It was the same number of years [as Juan Soto’s contract], but it didn’t reach [$600 million]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn’t reach 600,” Guerrero Jr. said. “I know the business. I lowered the salary demands a bit, but I also lowered the number of years … I’m looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way.”
But was the ask from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that bad?
Guerrero Jr.’s latest comments weren’t shocking but are still interesting. More @Sportsnet https://t.co/fGpmNE6I9a
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) March 8, 2025
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 25 years old and by the end of this contract, he will be 26. His getting a long-term contract of 14–15 years is next to impossible and Smith thinks the same. He still thinks that Guerrero Jr. should be getting a $500 million deal. In his hypothetical scenario, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gets a 14-year, $518 million deal.
In this deal, the slugger will be the star player he is for the first 7–8 years and help the team in every way possible before regressing. During the regressing part, the Blue Jays will be able to use him as a DH or any other way suitable. He also thinks that there is no way Guerrero Jr. is getting a big-money contract. No front office will be able to justify this level of spending.
If the Blue Jays think playing hardball with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a winning strategy, they might want to check the scoreboard. Stars of his caliber don’t come around often, and letting him slip away would be a masterclass in front-office malpractice. But hey, maybe they’re just holding out for a future where championships are won with bargain-bin signings and wishful thinking.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. very confident despite threats from the Red Sox and Yankees
The AL East is turning into an arms race, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. isn’t losing sleep over it. While the Yankees and Red Sox flex their wallets and stack their rosters, Vladdy is sticking to what he knows best—confidence and crushing baseballs. If super teams won championships on paper, the Blue Jays might be in trouble. But Guerrero Jr. seems to think the game is still played on the field.
Even after all the drama this offseason, Guerrero Jr. is very confident about the chances of the Blue Jays. He said, “Well, so far the same, that is, we are good, much better than last year.” And he is right. With the addition of Max Scherzer in the pitching department and with Santander, Bichette, and Springer in batting, the Blue Jays look formidable. But the question about their chemistry arises.
According to Guerrero Jr., team chemistry is the top priority. He believes it will be one of the most important factors in making the postseason. With veterans and young players who want to win, it will be easy for them to patch up and get the wheels rolling. The first baseman added, “I think that one very important thing that we have this year is the chemistry, and I think that everything starts there because of the CL; we have good CL.”
Chemistry can’t be bought, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is betting that the Blue Jays have more of it than their rivals. While the Yankees and Red Sox build super teams, Toronto is building a unit that plays for each other. If Guerrero Jr. is right, the AL East won’t just be a spending contest—it’ll be a battle, and the Blue Jays are ready to swing back.
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