The Blue Jays have backed themselves into a corner with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Not paying their superstar what he’s worth simply doesn’t add up, no matter how you look at it.
Guerrero ranks among MLB’s elite talents, and while recent contracts have reached astronomical figures, that’s just the reality of today’s market. The four-time All-Star won’t command $750 million, but he’s likely eyeing something in the $500 million range.
Toronto’s front office claims they’re still optimistic about working out a deal. CEO Mark Shapiro recently told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi that he believes there’s still a path to an agreement. Guerrero himself hasn’t closed the door on staying in Toronto.
But Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report isn’t buying it.
This is all well and good, but the Blue Jays’ intentions are only as good as the numbers they’re willing to offer Guerrero… Them going up feels about as likely as Guerrero going down. He’s too close to free agency to be less than all-in on the upside of his earning power.
That’s where the Yankees come in. For New York, this situation couldn’t be more perfect. They need Guerrero to reach free agency to have any shot at landing him, and they’ll conveniently have Paul Goldschmidt’s contract coming off the books right around that time.
If Guerrero does hit the open market, expect the Yankees to make a serious push. They’re desperate to find another star to pair with Aaron Judge, and there aren’t many better options in baseball than Vladdy Jr.
The way things are trending, Blue Jays fans might want to prepare themselves for the possibility of seeing their slugger in pinstripes down the road. Toronto’s reluctance to meet the market could be the Yankees’ gain.
