The Toronto Blue Jays have had a rough offseason, with many feeling the team has underperformed in free agency and trade talks. Adding to the tension is the uncertainty surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future, as the star is entering the final year of club control in 2025. Despite efforts to extend him, recent reports suggested a significant gap—potentially $100 million—between what Guerrero wants and what the Jays have offered.
However, a recent development has provided some hope. On Thursday, Guerrero and the Blue Jays agreed to a $28.5 million contract for the 2025 season, avoiding arbitration. This agreement could serve as a stepping stone toward a longer-term deal. Ross Atkins seems to be seizing this moment, working to leverage the positive momentum with Guerrero.
According to MLB insider Hector Gomez, Atkins and the Blue Jays are preparing a second extension offer, one that is expected to be much closer to the $450 million contract Guerrero reportedly seeks. Post-arbitration agreements are typically a time when teams ramp up extension talks, making this a key moment for the Jays to make progress.
- However, there are still potential hurdles. Reports suggest that Guerrero’s $450 million demand could be tied specifically to Toronto, and that he might accept a slightly smaller deal to join a different team if the Blue Jays don’t meet his expectations. With Guerrero’s self-imposed deadline of the first full day of spring training approaching, the clock is ticking, and Atkins is hoping to make significant headway before time runs out.