"Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wants to be more than half of Juan Soto" - MLB insider predicts $500,000,000 plus deal for Blue Jays star in next free agency
First base star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays are caught in an impasse regarding Guerrero's contract extension. His contract expires at the end of the 2025 season. That gives him the freedom to select his next destination if the Blue Jays don't re-sign him.
In the Foul Territory podcast hosted by Eric Kratz, MLB insider and reporter Ken Rosenthal discussed the process the Blue Jays are undertaking to keep Guerrero north of the border and the estimated amount the star first baseman want on his new contract.
"Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wants to be more than half of Juan Soto," said Rosenthal. (5:34-5:36)
Rosenthal also elaborated that the Blue Jays are exhausting all their resources to bring back the four-time All-Star as the franchise's cornerstone.
"The Jays are trying to get an extension done with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. It shouldn't be a surprise that they want him, and they want to keep him (in a) long-term contract. He loves Toronto, and they need him as their foundation going forward." (5:00-5:14)
The biggest question that Rosenthal brought up was what would the final figures in Guerrero's contract going to be like.
"The question in the wake of the Juan Soto signing is what's the price going to be? If Soto's contract is $765 (million). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is going to be a free agent at only a year older during his age 27 season, does the contract amount to half of Juan Soto's? (5:15-5:33)
Rosenthal also postulated that Guerrero will demand a contract within the $500 million range.
"Maybe the number starts with a five. Are the Jays willing to do that? Is that something that they would entertain? We've heard all offseason that they want to do something big." (5:37-6:00)
Ken Rosenthal notes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as Blue Jays' cornerstone
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal pointed out on the Foul Territory podcast that Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s signature for the long-term is tantamount to the Toronto Blue Jays' success.
"Signing Vlad Jr. is the starting point, the foundation, and the centerpiece of what they want to do going forward. They have to know that the Yankees are searching for a first baseman." (6:00-6:40)
The journalist further added that the Blue Jays should expedite their personnel moves to be able to be a postseason contender once more.