Toronto Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will enter MLB free agency after the 2025 season. While both Guerrero and the Blue Jays have stated their desire to reach a longterm agreement, that did not happen before the start of Spring Training when negotiations were tabled.
Coming off a sixth-place finish in American League MVP voting, Guerrero owns a career 137 OPS+ that ranks 10th among active hitters. Just turning 26 years old, the four-time All-Star is seeking a contract he says Toronto never came close to offering (via ESPN’s Jeff Passan).
It was reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that Guerrero wants $500 million in present value, not in deferrals.
Per the New York Post, Toronto did offer Guerrero “about $500 million” in total value, but with significant deferrals. Not long after this news, the right-handed first baseman shared a three-word message about the New York Yankees being among the teams he will speak to in 2025 free agency.
“Including the Yankees,” Guerrero said in Spanish to MLB reporter Yancen Pujols.
Vladdy Jr. says he’ll speak to every team during his free agency “including the Yankees” pic.twitter.com/X2D7j13bg9
Vladdy Jr. says he’ll speak to every team during his free agency “including the Yankees” pic.twitter.com/X2D7j13bg9
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 19, 2025
Should the Blue Jays remain unwilling to meet Guerrero’s asking price, the door would seemingly be left open for New York and other big market teams to land the 2022 Gold Glove Award winner.
In an interview with Jon Heyman of the New York Post last month, Guerrero admitted he grew up disliking the Yankees, but has left that behind him as his free agency nears.
“When I was a child with my dad, and like all (players’) kids I was in front of the dugout, and somebody from the Yankees told my dad that ‘You gotta take your kid (inside). You can’t be on the field,'” Guerrero said. “I felt bad. And it stood with me.”
https://t.co/nc1i6D8V6O. Vlad Guerrero Jr. tells The Post he loves Canada and the Jays but is open to all 30 teams, even the Yankees (but explains the 2 reasons he used to not like the Yanks)
https://t.co/nc1i6D8V6O. Vlad Guerrero Jr. tells The Post he loves Canada and the Jays but is open to all 30 teams, even the Yankees (but explains the 2 reasons he used to not like the Yanks)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 23, 2025
Leaving this behind him, Guerrero told Heyman, “If I go to free agency, every team – all 30 teams – are going to have the opportunity to sit down with (me), to talk to me.
I’m OK with everything. It’s in the past.” Guerrero has now reiterated his willingness to meet with the Yankees after the 2025 season.
