Toronto baseball fans just got a – gut punch!

Well, that’s what it feels to Toronto Blue Jays fans now when their homegrown star threw the bombshell—he will become a free agent next season. Yes, Vladimir Guerrero, even after the self-deadline he gave the Toronto Blue Jays, didn’t conclude his possible extension. “They had their numbers; I had my numbers,” said Vlad. He also added that it’s all ‘business.’ Ouch!

However, now that he is set to be a free agent, the bigger question is—where is he heading?

The former New York Mets GM Steve Phillips predicts that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will end up in New York. Not the Mets, but the New York Yankees. With all the young approach right now, this guy might fit like a duck to water. And, that Paul Goldschmidt is only just filling in the position until the Yankees catch a hold of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Speaking on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM, Phillips said, “I think he’s going to be a Yankee. I think that Goldschmidt will be out after the year. Alonso won’t opt out, and Vladdy’s going to be a Yankee. They’re going to give him short of (Juan) Soto money. In the end, they’ll have Vladdy and (Aaron) Judge in the middle of the lineup instead of Soto and Judge. They’ll end up having spent less money, and they’ll end up being a great team moving forward.”

Well, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a four-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and a Gold Glove winner. He will be an asset wherever he goes. According to Phillips, the impending threat most thought the New York Yankees had from the Mets isn’t there because Alonso, according to him, won’t leave the New York Mets. But even that’s debatable, after Alonso’s recent statement!

After losing the bid to Juan Soto, the New York Yankees could view Guerrero as the perfect alternative to Soto. And even he needs a winning team. Guerrero Jr. had told MLB, “Winning team. That’s what I’ll be looking for in free agency. As you guys know, my dad played for a lot of years. He never won a World Series. My personal goal is to win a World Series and give the ring to my dad. That’s all I’m looking for.”

And the Yankees now look strong with Judge, Cody Bellinger, Max Fried, and more. However, whether it’s going to be the Yankees he chooses or not is a huge debate. Because we can’t forget there’s a history. And let’s just say there is a villain arc!

Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s strong past stance on the Yankees

“No, not even dead,” was what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said when asked whether he would play for the Yankees in 2023. He also added, “It’s a personal thing. It goes back to my family. That’s my decision, and I will never change that.” However, he changed that arc and mentioned he is open to working with the New York Yankees just recently.

Guerrero Jr. told Virus Deportivo last season, “Sometimes one says things. It is not that I am trying to take back what I said about the Yankees. But this is a business. I sat down and spoke with my dad [Vladimir Guerrero Sr.] and my family, and this is a business. And I said I would never again talk about this topic, and lots of people have asked me about it.” Why this change of stance? Well, maybe it was a spur-of-the-moment statement he gave. Or perhaps he understands that with free agency looming, having the Yankees in a bidding war will only do him good.

But yes, he has earned his mantle, and if the Yankees look toward him, it’s only because his stats speak for themselves. He posted a stunning .323 batting average with 30 home runs and a .940 OPS. If the Yankees land this golden fish in the next free agency, they could be over their Juan Soto woes. Not to mention he is the perfect pairing with Aaron Judge.

For now, though, the Blue Jays are in deep water. Not just their star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is testing the free market soon; even Bo Bichette, their other cornerstone, is on the same route. What do you think will happen?