Blue Jays CEO Confident in Retaining $600 Million Slugger Beyond 2025
The MLB free-agent market never truly slows down. With the top 2025 free agents—such as the Mets’ Pete Alonso and the Red Sox’s Alex Bregman—having secured their contracts, speculation has already shifted to 2026. The biggest name expected to hit the market that year is Toronto Blue Jays’ 26-year-old, four-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero’s team control with Toronto expires after the 2025 season. Entering the year, he secured a one-year, $28.5 million deal to avoid arbitration. Now, he’s eyeing a much bigger payday.
Guerrero Jr. Seeks a Mega Deal—But Not Soto-Level
In a recent ESPN interview, Guerrero Jr.—the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero—acknowledged that he is looking for a contract nearing $600 million over 14 to 15 years. However, he emphasized that his demands fall significantly short of Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million, 15-year deal with the Mets.
“It’s much less than Soto,” Guerrero stated in early March. “We’re talking about over a hundred million less. The last offer we made didn’t even reach 600 (million).”
The slugger, who led the AL with 48 home runs in 2021, even mentioned he’d love a 20-year contract but was open to a slightly shorter term. However, despite discussions, Toronto’s offers weren’t sufficient to prevent him from testing free agency after 2025. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Guerrero will not negotiate during the season, making his path to free agency seem inevitable.
Potential Landing Spots for Guerrero Jr.
As speculation grows, several teams have emerged as frontrunners for the power-hitting first baseman, who has smashed 136 homers over the last four seasons. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that early favorites include the Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees, with Boston seemingly at the top of Guerrero’s wishlist.
“It’s no secret that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has told friends he’d love to play for the Boston Red Sox if he reaches free agency,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale noted.
Blue Jays CEO Makes a Bold Prediction
Despite all the rumors, Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro remains confident that Guerrero Jr. will stay in Toronto.
“My overarching feeling is one of optimism. I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him,” Shapiro told reporters, as quoted by SportsNet’s Shi Davidi. “Vlad wants to spend his whole career in Toronto, and we want him to retire as a Blue Jay.”
Guerrero himself has left the door open, stating in February that while he won’t negotiate midseason, he’d consider a “realistic offer” from Toronto if they return to the table.
For now, the baseball world watches closely as Guerrero Jr.’s future remains uncertain—though his bat is sure to command attention, whether in Toronto or elsewhere.
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