Top Stories of 2024 – No. 1: Passan believes no first baseman will lock down a $300+ million contract, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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Jan 1, 2025, 10:45 ESTUpdated: Jan 1, 2025, 12:37 EST
With 2025 now in full swing, Blue Jays Nation is counting down the top 10 stories from the past year. With nine stories down and the New Year’s Eve in the rearview mirror, we are down to the top story from the past 365 days and we have Jeff Passan to thank for helping us gain some views on this one.
Cam Lewis captured a radio segment from Passan a few months ago. The ESPN baseball insider was speaking with Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker at Sportsnet 590 the Fan about the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. With the first baseman eligible for free agency following the 2025 season, Passan commented on his impending contract status and how much he could earn on the open market based on his profile and position.
Kevin Barker: Should the Blue Jays give Vladdy a blank cheque?Jeff Passan: No. You don’t give a first baseman a blank cheque.I would be very curious to see what Pete Alonso gets in free agency this off-season. I think Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a better player than Pete Alonso, but the difference between the two isn’t all that great, right?I wonder, is that going to inform the Blue Jays what they can pay Vladdy? Or are they going to go to him and say, ‘You’re the guy we want to build around and we’re going to pay you like a franchise player.’Jeff Blair: We’ve been playing this game for a while now. Looking at first basemen, you have Bryce Harper at $330 million, you’ve got Freddie Freeman with the highest annual salary at around $27-28 million. Is there some sort of structure built in that?Jeff Passan: Bryce Harper got the $330 million as an outfielder. He’s a first baseman now, but there will not be a first baseman who’s getting a $300+ million contract. Period. This game is too value-oriented at this point.
It was an interesting topic, mostly because with Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani cashing in these past two offseasons, one would think that the likes of Guerrero and Bichette will do the same (but to a lesser extent value-wise). Guerrero also has the added benefit of seeing what Pete Alonso is going to take home this summer, as both players fit a similar profile in a bat-first first baseman position where power is king.
Interestingly enough, Passan walked back his comments a week later with Blair and Barker about what the Jays’ slugger may earn in free agency.
This winter, Guerrero and the Blue Jays continue to jockey for leverage regarding a contract extension. Guerrero has reportedly given a deadline of the first day of Spring Training for an extension and the value he is looking for in free agency, which driving Jays fans bananas that the two sides can’t figure out a deal given the club’s lacklustre offseason.
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