Ross Atkins Strongly Denies the Accusation That the Blue Jays Didn’t Make an “Aggressive” Offer to Vladimir Guererro Jr

The Blue Jays claim they have done everything possible to lock in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the long haul. But is he signed yet? Well, no!

Remember when the Blue Jays were ready to offer more than $600 million to Shohei Ohtani? They even aggressively pursued Juan Soto. But now, when it comes to their homegrown star, the details are vague. So, was Toronto’s offer truly effective and just enough to blame it on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. when he eventually walks away?

Is it just a convenient excuse?

Atkins was quick to defend the front office’s contract talks with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., focusing on their “aggressive” approach. “The offers that we made for Vlad would have been record-setting and would have made him one of the highest-paid players in the games,” he replied to the reporters. Point to be noted: There is no actual number attached to his statement.

This is where skepticism kicks in. The Jays were reportedly pursuing other star names with quite generous offers. For Soto, they even went near $700 million. Then what’s the deal with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? The “record-setting” deal doesn’t really specify anything. Was it $250 million? $300 million? Or more?

Without details, it is just another front-office buzzword shaped to sound good without saying much.

Speculations around the Vladimir Guerrero Jr are also going on. Is it because of his position?

First basemen, historically, do not command the same contracts as shortstops as well as two-way stars. Atkins hinted at this when asked how the Jays valued Guerrero, “He is a strong first baseman and one of the best hitters in the game.” Not exactly the most powerful endorsement.

If Guerrero were playing shortstop and center field, would this negotiation be distinctive? Probably. However, if the team is questioning his long-period value at first base, that is a whole other story. At 25, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has already proven himself as an elite hitter.

So, the issue might not be his position, it might be the team’s unwillingness to make a firm commitment. If the Jays keep dragging their feet, Toronto could end up paying more down the line and worse, losing Guerrero altogether.

What is next for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – a repeat of past mistakes?

The entire situation might feel familiar to you! isn’t it?

Toronto has a history of slow-playing contract extensions with homegrown stars. Just ask Marcus Stroman, who repeatedly voiced frustration over the Jays’ reluctance to long-period commitments. However, they shipped him to the Mets in 2019.

Then there is Edwin Encarnación. He clubbed 42 homers in 2016 and was expected to return until Toronto lowballed him. Encarnación walked and signed a three-year, $60 million deal with Cleveland, leaving the Jays scrambling to replace his production.

The pattern does not end there. Josh Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP, was in a similar spot. The team opted against a long-term deal and instead dealt Donaldson to Cleveland in 2018.

Fast forward to 2025, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sits at a crossroads. He is young, has already racked up 3 All-Star appearances and was an MVP runner-up in 2021.

Now, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a choice. He can keep playing on short-period deals and hit free agency after 2025, where his value could skyrocket. Multiple teams, like, the Yankees, Red Sox, and the Dodgers could be in play, and let’s face it – they have deeper pockets than Toronto.

If Guerrero puts up an MVP-caliber season, he could command well north of $300 million, specifically if the Jays continue to drag their feet. In addition, there is a trade possibility. If extension talks totally stall and the team struggles, could the Jays pull the trading strings of Guerrero for a massive haul? It is not out of the question.

If the Blue Jays truly want to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr., they need to stop with the vague statements and put real money into the place. Otherwise, history tells us exactly how this story ends. If the team does not act quickly, the question will remain: Why a “record-setting” offer still was not enough?

Think the Blue Jays are actually being aggressive to sign Vladdy?