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Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent comments suggest free agency may have been in play all along
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Photo credit: © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Prasad
Feb 25, 2025, 13:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 24, 2025, 20:18 EST
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Once again, a bad omen has struck the Toronto Blue Jays, stunting their ability to land deals. However this time, it came from within the house instead of from the open market. The Jays fanbase has been through it all these past two years, but recently, an internal negotiation has diminished the morale of the fanbase heading into the new year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s fate with the Blue Jays is in question, and his recent comments pose various concerns.
Guerrero Jr and the Blue Jays did not reach an agreement during their last sit-down, which happened to be the deadline. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins advised that there was a substantial offer made to the first baseman but it didn’t hit his desired value. Atkins also advised that the contract and value would have made Guerrero one of the top-paid Blue Jays in franchise history and amongst other players who have reached astronomical numbers in free agency. As to what that number was, we can only assume. 
What we all do know is what the Blue Jays were prepared to offer Juan Soto, which was beyond substantial. Upwards of $700 million, but not quite enough to seal the deal. The Blue Jays also failed to land other names such as Pete Alonso, Roki Sasaki and more. This dates back to the Shohei Ohtani fiasco, which has extended this far. 

Was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. always destined to test the free-agent waters?

Juan Soto signed for $765,000,000 over 15 years. Ohtani signed for $700,000,000 over 10 years, bearing elite dual capabilities (and a bunch of deferrals). Guerrero understood that both of these players were offered competing values to become a Blue Jay from the front office, which would have been paid from the wallets of Rogers Communications. 
Did Guerrero intend to surpass these maximum contracts in the belief that he earned the same value? Or did he surpass those numbers to force his way into free agency?
Likely not, given that both players stand alone amongst many of the current MLB group and if Guerrero is looking for the same billing, he likely won’t get that number in free agency anyway. However, the value the Jays presented still wasn’t enough for Guerrero and his camp and he will now test free agency this winter with all 29 other teams able to bid for his services.

Recent comments seem to think free agency was always in the cards

The first baseman advised the media that all 30 teams would have an opportunity to sit down and speak with him as a part of the free agency negotiations once the window opens next winter. The first baseman has an open ear from offers across the league. 
To include the New York Yankees in this conversation is saying a lot, after his comments regarding never wanting to suit up for the Yankees. However, he did mention that this is all in the past and hints that everyone is fair game at this point. Understanding what the Yankees can do financially, along with their need for an offensive first baseman long-term, the Bronx would be a great fit. So would the Red Sox, which Guerrero has been tied to in the rumour mill for quite some time. Overall, every team could use someone like Guerrero and he’s adding to the drama by liking certain photos on Instagram with his likeness photoshopped into different jerseys. 
So, was his scheme planned with conviction? Or did the Rogers/Blue Jays partnership not come up with a fair offer to retain their four-time All-Star, two-time silver-slugger, and one-time gold glove winner?
While we may never know that answer (at least right now), one thing is for certain: there is no guarantee Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will remain with the Blue Jays for the foreseeable future. 

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