Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ultimatum is bad news for the Blue Jays

First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been clamoring around want to stay with the Toronto Blue Jays. However, there is a limit to his patience.

Insider Hector Gomez relays that Guerrero wants a long-term deal with the Blue Jays. That contract must be agreed upon before spring training, as he does not plan to negotiate entering the season.

The Blue Jays and Guerrero initially discussed a long-term extension in 2021, when he was offered a seven-year contract worth 150 million. USD. Talks then stalled until this offseason, when Guerrero knocked down a deal of $340 million.

Guerrero indicated the Blue Jays were not close to what he would consider. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic projects Guerrero to make between $500M-$600M in his next contract. Spotrac, meanwhile, indicates that Guerrero has a market value of a 12-year contract worth approximately $427 million. The Blue Jays will need to significantly improve their offering if they want to keep their All-Star first baseman.

These projections may prove conservative if Guerrero repeats his 2024 show. He produced an impressive .323/.396/.544 batting line in his 697 plate appearances, hitting 30 homers and 44 doubles. Guerrero also saw time at third, potentially adding another option for any team looking to upgrade the lineup.

Guerrero’s ultimatum could lead to the Blue Jays’ worst nightmare. The Yankees signed first baseman Paul Goldschmidt a one-year agreement and could have a significant amount money coming off the books. Although Guerrero once said he would never play for the Yankees, he has softened that stance. A good enough offer could lead to Guerrero pestering his former team for the foreseeable future.

The Blue Jays are running out of time to keep Guerrero Jr. Failure to sign him to a long-term extension could haunt Toronto for years to come.