Spring training hasn’t even kicked into full gear, and there still is a long 162-game season ahead. But Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is already setting the stage for next winter’s free-agent market frenzy.

He is heading for the open market!

The 25-year-old and the Toronto Blue Jays had set Monday night as the deadline for the extension talks. The talks stretched past 9 p.m. ET and into the late hours. But they reached nowhere. Guerrero Jr. clarified to everyone that they were unable to reach an agreement. The reason he gave was, “They had their numbers, I had my numbers.”

So Toronto Blue Jays‘ reported $400 million offer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., plain and simple, didn’t seem enough for him to be off the market. He is coming off a great year where he hit 30 home runs, 199 hits, and 103 RBI over 159 games. Those are great numbers, and he knows his worth.

Many think that Juan Soto’s eye-watering deal with the New York Mets has shifted the market for him. But Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says it’s got nothing to do with it. He was clear: “We didn’t get to an agreement. And now they’re going to have to compete with 29 other teams.” Toronto sure had its chance. Now the rest of the league will.

And so Guerrero Jr., a Blue Jay since he was 16 years old, is going to head to the market. He will be 26 when he hits free agency, and he knows properly how such young, in-their-prime talents get paid. Look at Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and Juan Soto. Moreover, he is looking for a deal north of $400 million.

Guerrero, before the first full-squad workout, said, “Listen, I’m a man already. I’m 25 years old, ready to understand the business and how it goes. But conversations went well; negotiations were calm. At the end of the day, we just didn’t get an agreement. I know my value. I’m going to stick with it.”

Losing a homegrown star is tough. But then is this new for Jays?

Losing stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is nothing new for the Blue Jays

Truth be told, the Toronto Blue Jays track record in landing or even keeping the superstars hasn’t been great. Famously, they missed out on Shohei Ohtani in the 2023 season. It got super bad because they didn’t even have a backup plan in case they didn’t get him. But that didn’t break them; they tried again for Juan Soto. And lost on him too, and now their own franchise cornerstone is set to be in the free market.

Guerrero signed out of the Dominican Republic as a teenager. He has also been the face of the Jays alongside Bo Bichette, who is also set to be a free agent! Fans are super connected to Guerrero Jr. Still, GM Ross Atkins is clear—Toronto isn’t willing to break their financial discipline to extend Guerrero’s time there. Atkins said, “You have to stay disciplined to the fact that we’re running a business. The offers we made for Vlad would’ve been record-setting and made him one of the highest-paid players in the game.”

To be clear, Atkins meant a franchise record is nowhere near what a top-of-the-class free agent commands. Their richest contract was a $150 million deal with George Springer. It was considered an overpay then! Guerrero Jr. made two things clear: he wants a winning team that can help him get a real shot at a World Series ring. Second, an apt market value pay. Both are something; right now, the Jays might not be in a good position to give.

Talks have already started about how Steve Cohen will be looking with keen eyes. Do you think Vlad can make it to New York? Let us know.