With his free agency looming in less than nine months, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero is generating discussion on a number of fronts:
*The Blue Jays have not spoken to Guerrero’s camp about an extension since before Christmas, according to a source briefed on the conversations. However, those talks are expected to accelerate before Guerrero’s self-imposed deadline of Feb. 17, the day before the Jays hold their first full workout for pitchers and position players.
Guerrero, 25, is scheduled to hit the open market entering his age-27 season, which is one year older than outfielder Juan Soto was when he agreed in December to his 15-year, $765 million free-agent contract with the New York Mets. First basemen generally are not paid as well as outfielders, but Guerrero’s relative youth is setting him up for a monster deal, either from the Jays or another club.
*As The Athletic reported Thursday, the Jays are in discussions with free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. The addition of Alonso would not signal a willingness to trade Guerrero, according to a source briefed on the discussions. The Jays are trying to win, and their more likely plan would be to install Alonso at first and move Guerrero to third, where he appeared in 12 games last season. Both also could serve as designated hitters.
Some players might resist changing positions in their walk year, but Guerrero actually would prefer to move across the diamond. He told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi in September that he “would love to” play third base in 2025, calling it “my position.” The move, if it went well, could enhance his value in free agency.
*The signing of Alonso also could protect the Jays against the potential loss of Guerrero, provided the deal does not include an opt-out after one year. Alonso’s camp proposed to the Mets exclusively a three-year deal with a high average annual value and opt-outs. The Mets countered with a straight three-year offer that Alonso rejected, league sources said.
With the Jays, a team that has been desperate to make a major move the past two offseasons, Alonso perhaps could negotiate a deal closer to the extension he rejected from the Mets in June 2023, according to the New York Post. The Mets’ seven-year, $158 million offer would have included his final year of arbitration, which turned out to be worth $20.5 million. So in new money, Alonso effectively turned down six years and $137.5 million.
*Finally, while a trade of Guerrero, with or without Alonso, is not out of the question, Toronto’s response to teams that have merely checked in on Guerrero’s availability in a deal reflects their strong desire to keep him.
To even think about trading Guerrero, a package would have to include major leaguers and top prospects and exceed the value the San Diego Padres received from the New York Yankees for Soto, league sources said.
For Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham, the Padres acquired right-handers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Johnny Brito and Randy Vásquez, along with catcher Kyle Higashioka. They later made Thorpe the centerpiece of a trade for righty Dylan Cease.
(Top photo of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
