The Blue Jays wanted to get their hands on Juan Soto but could not. Now, the team is trying to retain what they already possess, one of them being Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But are they successful? Apparently not; according to Mike Rodriguez, Toronto has offered Vladimir a $340 million deal, but the player has rejected it. The Canadian-Dominican baseball player is looking for more, and it’s all because of Juan Soto.

Juan Soto recently decided to join the Mets and agree to MLB’s largest contract ever. The $765 million Soto deal has made other players think that they can also get way more. This is the reason why some think Guerrero Jr. declined the Blue Jays offer, as it was made before the Soto deal. He knew that once Soto was off the market with a bombshell deal, his value would go up too.

The front office may get blamed if they lose Guerrero Jr.

The decision facing the Toronto Blue Jays regarding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is one of the toughest the squad has to make in recent memory. The star slugger is seeking a deal far beyond what the Jays are willing to offer. If they want to retain the 25-year-old, Toronto needs to open the checkbook and give him the contract he deserves. After proving himself year after year as one of the most dynamic hitters in the game, he is undoubtedly looking to be paid accordingly.

But if the Jays aren’t willing to meet his asking price, they face another tough decision: trade him. The longer they hold onto Guerrero without an extension in place, the more their leverage diminishes. Waiting until the trade deadline could mean a smaller return for the club. What if they wait too long and he leaves next offseason? Fans will point to the front office’s failure to lock up the franchise player when they had the chance, and they will likely hold the team accountable for not getting any value in return.

If the Jays don’t, others will.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is coming off another impressive season with 30 home runs and 103 RBI. Although his numbers didn’t quite match the historic 2021 campaign, the Montreal native set a new personal best in batting average at .323 in 2024. Isn’t that something? Guerrero Jr. is just 25 and is entering the prime of his career. There are changes that he replicates or even builds on this production in 2025; his value is going to skyrocket when he hits free agency.

Spotrac has already projected Guerrero’s market value at a 12-year, $462 million contract—that’s way more than what the Blue Jays had put on the table. That’s also a deal that highlights how much other teams would be willing to pay for his services if the Blue Jays don’t step up. With Guerrero’s ability, it’s safe to say that there will be no shortage of suitors next offseason. As ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez pointed out, a trade could become the Blue Jays’ best option. Trading the first baseman before he hits free agency would at least allow the team to potentially help them rebuild for the future.

Ultimately, the Blue Jays are in a tough spot: do they pay Guerrero what he’s worth and make him the centerpiece of their long-term plans, or trade him while they still have some control over the situation and start plotting a new course for the club? It’s a decision that will likely shape the team’s trajectory for years to come—the clock is ticking on the Blue Jays front office.