The New York Yankees are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on October 25. However, that hasn’t dampened the Hot Stove rumors, particularly regarding a potential trade for Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this winter.
In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed a “wild” four-player trade between the Yankees and Blue Jays that could reshape both teams ahead of 2025:
Yankees Receive: First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Blue Jays Receive: Outfielder Spencer Jones, left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge, and right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter.
This deal would see the Yankees part with three of their top 20 minor league prospects, including Jones (ranked second) and Selvidge (seventh), with Beeter coming in at 18th overall.
Miller highlighted the Yankees’ pressing need for a first baseman, noting that all six players who filled that role this season had an OPS of .661 or lower. It’s widely expected that the Yankees will decline their $17 million option on Anthony Rizzo in search of a stronger solution. He compared the situation to last winter’s pursuit of Juan Soto, emphasizing that acquiring Guerrero would likely require a substantial trade package. If successful, the Yankees could have a formidable lineup in 2025, especially if they also manage to retain Soto.
Despite the Yankees boasting one of the league’s top offenses in 2024, driven by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto to a collective 117 wRC+ (second only to the Dodgers), their production from first base was lackluster, achieving a mere 76 wRC+, which was the second worst in MLB. In contrast, Guerrero excelled for Toronto, posting a 5.5 WAR, the highest among primary first basemen. He finished the season with a .323/.396/.544 batting line, hitting 30 home runs, driving in 103 runs, and scoring 98 times across 697 plate appearances. Notably, Guerrero has a history of success at Yankee Stadium, with a .959 OPS, 14 home runs, and 26 RBIs in just 42 career games there.
After making $19.9 million in 2024, Guerrero is projected to earn $29.6 million in his final arbitration year before hitting free agency after the 2025 season.
If the Blue Jays actively shop Guerrero, will he be open to a move to the Yankees? He previously stated he would never sign with New York due to personal family reasons, a sentiment he reiterated in April. While Miller noted Guerrero seemed to soften his stance around the trade deadline, recent reports indicate the Blue Jays are planning to pursue an extension for him before he becomes a free agent. Additionally, if they make a significant play for Soto this winter, keeping Guerrero alongside him would be vital.
While the proposed trade would be dramatic, given Guerrero’s past comments about the Yankees and the rivalry between the two AL East teams, it currently appears unlikely.