"No one's gonna wake up happier than Vladimir Guerrero Jr." - MLB insider claims Juan Soto's move to Mets helps Blue Jays star earn $100,000,000 more
The New York Mets won the race to sign superstar slugger Juan Soto on Sunday. The Dominican star will be staying in New York after signing an MLB record $765,000,000 over 15 years with the Mets.
Soto's deal with the Mets broke the MLB record for the largest contract in MLB history, eclipsing Shohei Ohtani's $700,000,000 deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.
While the Yankees will be disappointed in missing out on the coveted free agent after his career best season in pinstripes in 2024, MLB insider and USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale named one person whom would benifit from the Soto deal apart from the Mets.
The MLB insider said on the "Four Territory" podcast (2:00 onwards):
"If you are Vladimir Guerrero, no one's going to wake up happier this morning than Vlad. All of a sudden he made himself probably another $100 million, If not more just by looking at what happened with the Soto deal."
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is expected to walk into free agency at the end of next season, with reports indicating the Blue Jays are interested in extending the four-time All-Star.
Although Guerrero has not been able to replicate his MVP-caliber season from 2021, the star first baseman had a strong second half of the season in 2024 and is still just 25. He could command a mega extension from the Blue Jays or walk into free agency, like Soto did, in hopes of getting a blockbuster contract.
Blue Jays discussed Vladimir Guerrero Jr.s contract after Juan Soto's Mets deal
The Blue Jays were rumored to be one of the teams interested in Juan Soto after his stellar 2024 season with the Yankees. However, with Soto joining the Mets, the Jays are likely to extend their star.
General Manager Ross Atkins addressed the situation on Monday:
“We have to stay disciplined to how we view things. We are committed to always being fair and being consistent. Nothing has changed in terms of our pursuit of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and we are very hopeful to extend him.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider echoed the same sentiment, labelling Guerrero Jr.'s extension the team's top priority, hailing the four-time All-Star a "special player."