MLB fans have seen it all—blockbuster trades, shocking exits, and unexpected twists. But this latest development? It’s got everyone buzzing. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is at the center of it all, and let’s just say, his future with the Blue Jays is looking anything but certain. While fans are still holding onto hope that their star slugger will stick around—especially with the expectations of a big season ahead—rumors are swirling that it might not be possible to stop him from eyeing new horizons. And if that wasn’t enough to stir the pot, MLB insider Jeff Passan has jumped into the conversation with some bold predictions.
The Blue Jays finally concluded their extension negotiation with Vlad Jr on Tuesday, which did not turn out to be all smiles. This will eventually result in Guerrero Jr. entering into free agency as soon as the season comes to an end by November. Revealing the same, general manager Ross Atkins shared, “I am confident that we exhausted the communication, the ideas, the thoughts and communicated every dollar. The offers that we made for Vlad would’ve been record-setting and would’ve made him one of the highest-paid players in the game.” But the ace player was adamant to accept anything less than his demands. Now, the buzz about his probable future is taking center stage, with columnist Jeff Passan also weighing in.
Speaking on ESPN MLB, Passan shared some intriguing insights into the entire scenario. “This opens up a world of possibilities for the Blue Jays going forward. If he really is going to go to free agency like he says unless the Blue Jays are toward the top of the American League East and it is the toughest division in baseball one in which they finished last place last season, there’s a real possibility that he is going to be traded before the end of the year,” Passan said. For the unversed, The Toronto Blue Jays finished last in the American League East in 2024 at 74-88. Now, if the situation does not change, the team will have no option but to part ways with their star player. But the possibilities are a lot.
If the team manages to overcome their woes and reach bigger stages, they might consider their plans given the stature of Vladimir. But when it comes to the Blue Jays, they are clear on one aspect. “I asked Ross Atkins, their general manager about the possibility of a trade before the season even begins and he dismissed that but we’re going to have our eyes on that July trade deadline,” Passan shared. But what about Vladimir Guerrero Jr himself? Well, he has his thoughts clear.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays fail to reach deal; free agency looming https://t.co/l639hi3iAl pic.twitter.com/E1HeGZosce
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 18, 2025
“I want to be here. I want to be a Blue Jay for the rest of my career. But it’s free agency. It’s business. So I’m going to have to listen to 29 more teams and they’re going to have to compete for that,” Guerrero Jr. said, as he justified his move. But the relationship between the player and the team is not as rocky as it sounds. The President and the CEO of the team, Mark Shapiro, had a special message for Vladimir Guerrero Jr and it’s definitely emotional.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. receives an emotional message from Mark Shapiro
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a deal with Toronto Blue Jays way back in 2015. He grew over the years and proved his mettle on the field. Now, as he desires to part ways with the team, MLB insider Jon Heyman suggests that the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox might engage in a close tussle to acquire him. Now, for a player of such stature, emotional messages from the team are understandable, and even the President and CEO of the team did not stay back.
Speaking to the press, Shapiro shared, “We were emotional. We did value the player deeply, and even went past our value because we cared so deeply about him and wanted to have him here.” While it also surprised many since it’s not common for a CEO to turn sentimental when a player leaves the team, Shapiro’s statement highlights the close bond that he and the team had with Guerrero Jr.
As the season evolves, it will be interesting to see how things unfold. Will the Blue Jays be able to retain Vladimir Guerrero Jr going forward, or is it the done deal? Well, only time will tell.
The post MLB Rumors: Vladimir Guerrero Jr Has a “Real Possibility” to Be Traded by Blue Jays After Failed Extension Negotiations appeared first on EssentiallySports.