As spring training inches closer, the Blue Jays find themselves in a high-stakes game that doesn’t involve bats or balls—but big decisions and even bigger egos. At the center of it all? Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the powerhouse slugger who’s become the face of the franchise and a fan favorite. The Blue Jays seem determined to keep him locked in long-term, but will their efforts be too little, too late? With whispers of high-stakes negotiations swirling, it’s crunch time in Toronto. Buckle up—this could get interesting.

As the offseason trade deadlines are coming to an end, the Toronto Blue Jays have come to life. They want to make some big moves now, and it might be too late for that. The team might want to keep Guerrero, given his second top-10 MVP finish (6th) and an AL All-Star and Silver Slugger winner  in 2024.

MLB insider Adam Peddle on the Blue Jays Today channel said of the $400 million contract as reported by Jon Heyman, “The number that is being thrown around is that $400 million mark. Do you feel more confident that even a week away we’re hearing $400 million is kind of where we’re at?” Nothing has been confirmed about the contract details yet.

But it has been reported that the Blue Jays might be offering him a huge contract of $400 million. We still don’t know for home many years and what are the conditions. But 400 is the number that is being thrown around.

To this, Nicholas Paleolog replied, “Man, I’m so 50-50 on this. And I personally, I think that it makes sense for Guerrero to take the extension, especially if that number is up there at $400 million. Like, I think that that is very reasonable with what it is that you’ve accomplished in your career so far, and, you know, what we’re projecting you to accomplish in your career.” 

It looks like fans also want the 25-year-old in the franchise. In addition to his 2022 Golden Glove award, the slugger has a 137 OPS+ in 819 career games, another top 10 mong active hitters. But it all also depends on Guerrero Jr and what he wants, as he’s reportedly seeking lucrative numbers.

As the clock ticks down, the Blue Jays have made their play—and it’s a bold one. Whether Guerrero Jr swings at this massive offer or decides to let it sail past is the million (or should we say $400 million) dollar question. One thing’s for sure: Toronto’s front office can’t afford to strike out here. The fans have spoken, the insiders have weighed in, and now it’s Guerrero’s turn to make the call. No pressure, right?

Top Comment by Tdiddy1000

With Alonso’s 2 year contract with a 1 yr opt out, the Mets will make a huge run at Vlad...more

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What if Vladimir Guerrero Jr walks? The Blue Jays’ $400M gamble hanging by a thread

As the Toronto Blue Jays dangle a colossal contract before Vladimir Guerrero Jr., one must ponder: what if the prodigious slugger decides to decline? The Blue Jays have reportedly offered Guerrero a deal of around $400 million, but he is seeking a contract north of $400 million, inspired by Juan Soto’s recent $765 million deal. If Guerrero remains unsatisfied with the offer and opts to test free agency after the 2025 season, the repercussions could be seismic.

If Vladimir Guerrero Jr decides to walk away from the Jays, there are other clubs ready to pounce on him. He has already been linked heavily to the New York Mets, who consider him the last piece of the puzzle and a replacement for Pete Alonso. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are also in the race. Putting aside their past differences, the Yankees are pursuing the youngster and they know what he brings to the lineup.

The loss of Vladimir Guerrero Jr would affect the Blue Jays beyond their batting lineup because it would wound both their essence and league position. It would result in discontented fans yet potentially reduced ticket sales with lowered TV ratings. Eliminating his offensive skills would leave a huge void to fill in the lineup thus creating uncertainties about the future of the team because rebuilding would be likely over competitive play.

In the high-stakes game of baseball negotiations, the Blue Jays now find themselves at a crossroads. Will they up the ante to keep their star, or watch as he dons a rival’s jersey? One thing’s certain: if Vladimir Guerrero Jr walks, the reverberations will be felt far beyond the confines of Rogers Center.