Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays fail to reach deal; free agency looming

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays failed to reach a contract extension before his self-imposed Monday deadline, putting the homegrown Toronto star a step closer to a free-agent exit after the season.

Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration five weeks ago when they came to terms on a one-year, $28.5 million deal.

While the 25-year-old said he will leave the door open to any "realistic" offer from the Blue Jays, he indicated Tuesday the two sides might differ on that definition.

"They have their numbers; I have my numbers," Guerrero said Tuesday before the first full-team workout of spring training.

"I love the city. I love the fans. I mean, it's hard, but at the end of the day, like I say, it's business. I'll do everything that I have to to stay here with the Blue Jays. I love it here. I want to be here."

Guerrero set a 9 p.m. Monday deadline for contract talks with the Blue Jays to avoid being a distraction, putting a focus on team-first goals.

The Jan. 10 contract agreement is the third largest ever landed by an arbitration-eligible player, trailing only the $31 million that Juan Soto got from the New York Yankees last year and the $30 million that Shohei Ohtani received from the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.

Guerrero said Tuesday the massive deal the Mets struck with Soto in free agency -- 15 years, $765 million -- is not a consideration for him in contract negotiations. Guerrero and Soto were in the same international signing class in 2015.

"Soto's deal had nothing to do with my decision at all," Guerrero said. "Even before that, I knew my value. I knew my number."

Hard-line negotiations have been present in Guerrero's dealings with the Blue Jays for a few years.

Guerrero made $19.9 million in 2024. That figure was set by an arbitration panel over the $18.05 million that the Blue Jays had offered.

Guerrero turned in a fourth straight All-Star season, captured his second Silver Slugger Award and finished sixth in American League MVP voting in 2024. The first baseman hit .323 with a .396 on-base percentage, a .544 slugging percentage, 30 homers and 103 RBIs in 159 games. He led baseball with a .376 batting average after the All-Star break; he was eighth in MLB with 46 RBIs during that stretch.

Through six major league seasons with the Blue Jays, Guerrero owns a .288/.363/.500 batting line with 160 homers and 507 RBIs in 819 games.

--Field Level Media