Reflecting on the year, Blue Jays Nation is taking a look at some of the articles that sparked interest amongst the readers and fans and counting down the most-viewed stories from the site.

The second article in the countdown looks at an <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/former-mlb-gm-jim-bowden-suggests-trade-that-would-see-vladimir-guerrero-jr-moved-to-astros">article written by Chris Georges</a> regarding a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5474112/2024/05/06/early-mlb-trades-buyers-sellers-2024/?source=user_shared_article">trade proposed by The Athletics’ Jim Bowden</a>. Written on May 6, 2024, the hypothetical trade Bowden pitched would’ve seen Vladimir Guerrero Jr. join the Houston Astros in exchange for Joey Loperfido and Kenedy Corona.
<blockquote>“Guerrero will be a free agent after the 2025 season and the Blue Jays have yet to sign him to a long-term deal. They’d get a much better return in a trade now than they would in the offseason or in the leadup to next year’s trade deadline; therefore, they’ll need to seriously consider dealing him this July if they fall out of the race. Guerrero is still only 25 years old and just entering his prime years… Vlad Jr.’s best season was in 2021, when he led the majors with 48 home runs and topped the AL with a 1.002 OPS. He followed that up with a 32-homer season and a Gold Glove Award in 2022. However, the three-time All-Star’s numbers dipped last year to 26 homers and a .788 OPS, and this year he’s batting only .239 with four homers, 15 RBIs and a .711 OPS. A change of scenery, especially a move to Houston, could be a huge boost for him&#8230; Guerrero would solve first base for the Astros and really lengthen their lineup.
In return, the Blue Jay would get Loperfido, who could take over first base long term. He was leading the minors with 13 home runs when the Astros promoted him last week. Loperfido, 24, also can play left field. Corona, 24, can play all three outfield positions and profiles as a 20-home run, 30-stolen base, top-of-the-lineup type producer. He is hitting .185/.340/.309 this season in Double A with 10 steals in 11 attempts. Both players won’t be arbitration-eligible until at least 2027.”</blockquote>
In hindsight, this is a terrible trade proposal for quite a few reasons. For starters, after a dismal April, Guerrero Jr. went on to finish the season slashing .345/.412/.590 with 27 home runs in 561 plate appearances from May 1 until the end of the season. His 2024 season rivaled his 2021 season, as he slashed .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs in 697 plate appearances for a 165 wRC+ and a 5.5 fWAR.
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Moreover, the Blue Jays actually ended up falling out of contention, moving numerous expiring free agents before the 2024 trade deadline. One of those free agents, Yusei Kikuchi, was traded to the Astros in exchange for one of the players mentioned in Bowden’s hypothetical trade, Joey Loperfido. The Blue Jays also received Will Wagner and Jake Bloss, a trade that will set them up nicely for the future.
Fast forward over seven months later, and Guerrero Jr. remains un-signed and enters his final season of team control. On Sunday, Guerrero Jr. said that the Blue Jays aren’t even close to what he wants, but he’s open to signing a long-term extension and the team has until the start of Spring Training to get something done.
Whether he’s re-signed, walks after the 2025 season, or is traded, is yet to be seen. However, if the Jays go down the last route, they’ll get a much better package than the one proposed by Bowden.
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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after hitting a double in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium

Reflecting on the year, Blue Jays Nation is taking a look at some of the articles that sparked interest amongst the readers and fans and counting down the most-viewed stories from the site.



The second article in the countdown looks at an <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/former-mlb-gm-jim-bowden-suggests-trade-that-would-see-vladimir-guerrero-jr-moved-to-astros">article written by Chris Georges</a> regarding a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5474112/2024/05/06/early-mlb-trades-buyers-sellers-2024/?source=user_shared_article">trade proposed by The Athletics’ Jim Bowden</a>. Written on May 6, 2024, the hypothetical trade Bowden pitched would’ve seen Vladimir Guerrero Jr. join the Houston Astros in exchange for Joey Loperfido and Kenedy Corona.
<blockquote>“Guerrero will be a free agent after the 2025 season and the Blue Jays have yet to sign him to a long-term deal. They’d get a much better return in a trade now than they would in the offseason or in the leadup to next year’s trade deadline; therefore, they’ll need to seriously consider dealing him this July if they fall out of the race. Guerrero is still only 25 years old and just entering his prime years… Vlad Jr.’s best season was in 2021, when he led the majors with 48 home runs and topped the AL with a 1.002 OPS. He followed that up with a 32-homer season and a Gold Glove Award in 2022. However, the three-time All-Star’s numbers dipped last year to 26 homers and a .788 OPS, and this year he’s batting only .239 with four homers, 15 RBIs and a .711 OPS. A change of scenery, especially a move to Houston, could be a huge boost for him... Guerrero would solve first base for the Astros and really lengthen their lineup.

In return, the Blue Jay would get Loperfido, who could take over first base long term. He was leading the minors with 13 home runs when the Astros promoted him last week. Loperfido, 24, also can play left field. Corona, 24, can play all three outfield positions and profiles as a 20-home run, 30-stolen base, top-of-the-lineup type producer. He is hitting .185/.340/.309 this season in Double A with 10 steals in 11 attempts. Both players won’t be arbitration-eligible until at least 2027.”</blockquote>
In hindsight, this is a terrible trade proposal for quite a few reasons. For starters, after a dismal April, Guerrero Jr. went on to finish the season slashing .345/.412/.590 with 27 home runs in 561 plate appearances from May 1 until the end of the season. His 2024 season rivaled his 2021 season, as he slashed .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs in 697 plate appearances for a 165 wRC+ and a 5.5 fWAR.
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Moreover, the Blue Jays actually ended up falling out of contention, moving numerous expiring free agents before the 2024 trade deadline. One of those free agents, Yusei Kikuchi, was traded to the Astros in exchange for one of the players mentioned in Bowden’s hypothetical trade, Joey Loperfido. The Blue Jays also received Will Wagner and Jake Bloss, a trade that will set them up nicely for the future.

Fast forward over seven months later, and Guerrero Jr. remains un-signed and enters his final season of team control. On Sunday, Guerrero Jr. said that the Blue Jays aren’t even close to what he wants, but he’s open to signing a long-term extension and the team has until the start of Spring Training to get something done.

Whether he’s re-signed, walks after the 2025 season, or is traded, is yet to be seen. However, if the Jays go down the last route, they’ll get a much better package than the one proposed by Bowden.

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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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