Blue Jays Urged to “Leak” Their Final Offer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Before Trading Him to Start a Rebuild

If the Toronto Blue Jays don’t lock up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension before he hits free agency at the end of this season, the MLB is in for a Juan Soto-style frenzy all over again. The countdown clock will be ticking, and Vlad Jr. is going to be on everyone’s lists, just like Soto was. Now, if Guerrero Jr. becomes a free agent, he probably won’t be raking in a mind-boggling $765 million deal like Soto did with the Mets.  

But still, the drama and the hype will be off the charts. So, should the Blue Jays trade Vladdy before he hits free agency like the Padres did, or should they try and talk him into staying? Insider Buster Olney thinks differently and pivoted to a whole new plan, one that includes first baseman Pete Alonso. On a recent episode of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney, Olney assumed the imaginary role of a consultant to the Toronto Blue Jays.

He said, “Sign Pete Alonso. Let him be a signature star. Flip Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. I have heard that the Mets internally would love to have him. And they are willing to trade. They have a surplus of position prospects.” Olney also added that if he was in the club’s shoes, he would make Vladdy one last offer to show the fanbase that the squad really tried. “He’s probably going to decline and at that point you leak the offer to the media”  

If the New York Mets are ready to move on from Pete Alonso as their future first baseman, then Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could be the perfect fit to take his place in an ideal scenario. The 25-year-old slugger wrapped up an incredible 2024 season, finishing No. 6 in the American League MVP voting, proving he’s among the best of the best. In 159 appearances, Guerrero turned in a monster performance, hitting an impressive .323 with 30 home runs, 44 doubles, and 103 RBIs. His .544 slugging percentage and .940 OPS were both the second-highest of his already stellar career, showcasing his consistent dominance at the plate.

What will the Jays-Mets trade look like? (If it happens) 

The New York Mets’ recent interest in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has sent fans down a speculative rabbit hole that’s leading to a dead end. While the idea of trading for the Toronto Blue Jays’ superstar is certainly intriguing, all the credible insiders are still insisting it’s nothing more than a fantasy. For the Mets, a deal for Vlad Jr. would be a massive twist—and given the front office’s dwindling trust in the fanbase, it could do more harm than good. 

The Mets could be looking to offer a package of at least four top prospects, maybe with an MLB-ready player or two thrown in. Who’s on the table? Well, names like Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty, and Luisangel Acuna are starting to make their way into the conversation. But here’s the kicker: all three enter the 2025 season with just one minor league option remaining. So while they could be part of a deal, it would be a move that’s as much about the future as it is about the now.

And let’s not forget about Tylor Megill, who could easily fit into the “or two” category, adding some much-needed pitching depth to the Blue Jays roster. But what really gets interesting is the idea of Bo Bichette possibly heading out the door soon. That opens up a whole new world of possibilities for a Mets-Blue Jays trade, especially with the Mets stockpiling shortstops in their farm system like they’re going out of style. The trade needs to sting at all levels to make it worthwhile, so expect a package that includes a top-tier shortstop (Mauricio or Acuna, anyone?) and some pitching to back it up.