The Toronto Blue Jays are running out of time to secure first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension, with the possibility of failure potentially benefiting a major division rival.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, if the Blue Jays don’t finalize a deal with Guerrero before Spring Training, the 25-year-old All-Star plans to test free agency next winter. Should that happen, many expect Guerrero to sign with the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2026 season.
Reports suggest Guerrero has expressed interest in playing for Boston, joining forces with fellow Dominican star Rafael Devers. The Red Sox, after missing out on Juan Soto this offseason, have the financial flexibility to pursue Guerrero. However, their ability to do so could change if they commit resources to signing All-Star infielder Alex Bregman, a move Nightengale believes Boston’s front office has been cautious about for this reason.
Guerrero’s asking price reportedly exceeds $450 million, while the Blue Jays’ current offer falls over $100 million short, leaving a significant gap in negotiations just weeks before pitchers and catchers report.
Coming off a stellar 2024 season in which he hit .323 with 30 home runs, 44 doubles, 103 RBIs, a .940 OPS, and a 6.2 WAR, Guerrero earned his fourth consecutive All-Star nod, a sixth-place finish in AL MVP voting, and a spot on the All-MLB First Team. Since debuting in 2019, Guerrero has posted a .288 batting average with an .863 OPS, averaging 32 home runs, 35 doubles, 100 RBIs, and a 4.3 WAR per 162 games. He has also collected two Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove, and missed just 12 games over the past five seasons, demonstrating remarkable durability.
Losing a player of Guerrero’s caliber would be a significant blow to the Blue Jays, who have already struggled to land elite talent in recent offseasons. To make matters worse, it could directly benefit the Red Sox, positioning Guerrero to face Toronto 13 times a season for years to come.
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