Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to become the next Juan Soto in free agency next year—unless the Toronto Blue Jays can manage to keep him. Vladdy had set a personal deadline for negotiations, but unfortunately, the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement. After this season, both the Blue Jays and other teams will be vying for Guerrero’s talents.
The Blue Jays were heavily involved in the pursuit of Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani, but as we know, they fell short. Will they fail to keep their own star, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., next year as well? It’s uncertain, but history shows the team’s past struggles in securing big names. Analysts predict that Vladdy will land a deal well over $500 million, and his mentor shares that belief.
Hall of Famer David Ortiz makes a bold prediction: Ortiz, a close family friend of the Guerrero family and former teammate of Vladimir Guerrero Sr., has had a significant influence on Vladdy Jr.’s life, even serving as a mentor. In a recent interview, the legendary Dominican player stated that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. deserves a 13-year, $585 million contract—a remarkably specific figure to put out there.
Maybe Ortiz knows Vladdy’s asking price, given their close relationship, which could explain why the Blue Jays were unable to meet his demand. $45 million per year is no small sum. As the Canadian star heads into free agency next year, numerous teams will be vying for his services, and his value could rise even further in the bidding war. Let’s take a look at some potential landing spots for the 25-year-old first baseman.
**Possible landing spots for Vladdy next year:**
It looks like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may be playing his final season in Toronto. During this offseason’s negotiations, there were even rumors suggesting he could end up with his biggest rival, the New York Yankees. However, if things don’t work out with the Blue Jays, Vladdy could always find a home with the Yankees’ sworn enemies, the Boston Red Sox.
Guerrero could be the missing piece the Red Sox need. With both financial flexibility and a strong group of prospects, Boston has all the tools to make a serious push for him. Pairing him with Rafael Devers would create a dynamic duo, giving the team an elite offensive force.