The San Francisco Giants continue their search for a franchise hitter, a void unfilled since Buster Posey’s prime years before becoming president of baseball operations.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays have not reached agreement on a contract extension, according to multiple reports. The four-time All-Star first baseman enters his final year before free agency.
The 25-year-old Guerrero brings a career 137 OPS+ and posted 6.0 WAR last season.
“The Giants have been in a spending mood recently, committing $333 million just to Matt Chapman and Willy Adames in recent months. They could conceivably make Guerrero an extension target,” wrote Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report.
Rymer proposed a trade package centered around Camilo Doval, Marco Luciano, and James Tibbs III heading to Toronto.
The suggested deal notably excludes Bryce Eldridge, whom the Giants have been unwilling to include in trade discussions. The 20-year-old, 6-foot-7 prospect ranks as San Francisco’s top minor league talent.
Industry sources indicate the Giants would likely need to include Eldridge to seriously compete for Guerrero’s services, given the first baseman’s established production and remaining team control.
Toronto has shown no indication they plan to trade Guerrero before the season begins. The Blue Jays maintain playoff aspirations in an competitive American League East division.
The Giants’ recent free agent acquisitions of Chapman (6 years, $54 million) and Adames (3 years, $18.5 million) demonstrate their willingness to pursue impact talent.
Guerrero hit .264 with 26 home runs and 94 RBI in 2023.
