Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is Better Off Leaving The Blue Jays

It has been a frustrating offseason for the Toronto Blue Jays. While they’ve been in the mix for marquee free agents, Toronto’s pursuits have ended up falling short. While Toronto’s inability to lure a star north of the border has been irritating, this isn’t the Blue Jays’ biggest problem. Despite Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s desire to stay with the Blue Jays, the team has been unable to come up with an extension. Vlad Jr. is eligible for free agency after next season. The two sides are reportedly not close to agreeing to a deal. Vladdy recently gave the team a Spring Training deadline to negotiate otherwise all dialogue would end. Given how badly the team has mishandled contract negotiations and the franchise’s murky future, Vlad Jr. is better off playing somewhere else.

The Biggest Homegrown Star Toronto Has Had In Years

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been the biggest homegrown star the Toronto Blue Jays have had in many years. He’s accomplished a lot in just a short time in the big leagues. In six seasons with the team, Vladdy has slashed .288/.363/.500 with 160 homers, 507 RBI, and an OPS of .863. Last season, he was the best player on a dreadful Blue Jays team. The 25-year-old has been an all-star four years in a row, earned two Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove. Much to the delight of Blue Jays fans, Vlad Jr. even expressed a desire to play the rest of his career north of the border. However, despite Vladdy’s interest in being a career Blue Jay, the team hasn’t been able to come up with an extension agreement.

The Team Has Badly Mishandled Trying To Extend Vladdy

The Blue Jays front office has badly bungled Vladdy’s contract negotiations. The best time for the team to extend Vlad Jr. was two years ago. The franchise knew what it had with Vlad Jr., and it would have cost less to extend him. However, with Juan Soto signing a $765 million deal this offseason, the price to extend Guerrero Jr. has now increased. Reportedly, Vladdy’s asking price is over $400 million. The Blue Jays have shown so far that they are unwilling to pay him that kind of money. Guerrero Jr. recently turned down a deal worth $340 million from the team. However, it should be noted that this is the same front office that was willing to pay Soto, who’s just a year younger than Vladdy, significantly more.

The Blue Jays Future Is Uncertain

During Vladdy’s time in Toronto, the team has never advanced past the Wild Card round of the postseason and has been swept each time. Last season, the team finished in last place in the AL East. The 2026 season doesn’t look too promising either and this is a team whose future is uncertain. Key players like Bo Bichette, Chris Bassitt, Chad Green, and Erik Swanson will all be free agents after next season. The following year, other big contributors like George Springer, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Daulton Varsho, Alejandro Kirk, and Yimi Garcia will hit the open market. The team won’t be able to retain them all. Toronto’s farm system is currently ranked 24^th with no prospects inside the top 100. While the team is going to try and compete in 2025, a long rebuild is ahead for the team.

The Blue Jays Deserve To Lose Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

If Vladdy enters free agency, there will be a team willing to meet his asking price, if not exceed it. Teams crave for all-star caliber players like Vlad Jr. to be in their lineup for years to come. This is yet another mistake made by the front office regime of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins. Given how the Blue Jays have mishandled Vladdy’s negotiations, their uncertain future, and the franchise’s decision to prioritize other free agents over their star; Toronto deserves to lose Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

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