The Toronto Blue Jays face a major question that will loom over them throughout the year: Will Vladimir Guerrero Jr. return in 2026?
The Blue Jays star is playing on the final year of his contract, and after the two sides couldn’t agree to a long-term deal, he is all set to hit free agency at season’s end.
Teams such as the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and other contenders in the league have to at least consider signing Guerrero to a long-term deal.
However, reports show that the Blue Jays sensation wants a contract in the range of $550 million, a steep price to pay for some small-market teams.
Still, the Blue Jays are trying to do whatever it takes to keep him in Toronto.
Blue Jays President Seems Confident in Pursuit of Vladdy
Ahead of Opening Day, Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro had some strong comments regarding the pursuit of Guerrero, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.
“I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him. The reason I feel that way is because we have such a clear alignment on the desired outcome.”
Shapiro added more about the Blue Jays having the advantage of signing him to a long-term deal.
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“Vlad wants to play his whole career as a Toronto Blue Jay,” Shapiro said. “We want him to end his career in a Blue Jays uniform and be a true legacy player for the Toronto Blue Jays. That’s a pretty good place to start.”
Shapiro also compared him to stars such as Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr. and Kirby Puckett, so it’s no secret that the Blue Jays want to make things work.
What Guerrero Wants For His Next Contract
Recently, Guerrero made clear his ballpark range for his next contract, and it is a lot of money.
“If I have a bad year, my floor is 500M..realistically, I’m worth, right now, 200M less than Soto (565M),” Guerrero stated.
It’s hard to argue that he isn’t worth that, especially with the numbers he has put up and that he would hit free agency during his prime years. In his short career, he has 905 hits, 160 home runs, 507 RBI, a .288 batting average and a 21.3 WAR. Guerrero also has made the All-Star team four times, and the 26-year-old could be a mainstay for the Blue Jays if they can get a deal done.
It won’t be cheap, but Shapiro and the Blue Jays are going to try whatever it takes.