Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays failed to succeed in a freelance extension ahead of his self-imposed Monday closing date, placing the homegrown Toronto famous person a step nearer to a free-agent go out after the season.
Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays have shyed away from arbitration 5 weeks in the past once they got here to phrases on a one-year, $28.5 million deal.
Whilst the 25-year-old mentioned he’ll depart the door open to any “practical” be offering from the Blue Jays, he indicated Tuesday the 2 aspects may vary on that definition.
“They’ve their numbers; I’ve my numbers,” Guerrero mentioned Tuesday ahead of the primary full-team exercise of spring coaching.
“I really like the town. I really like the fanatics. I imply, it is laborious, however on the finish of the day, like I say, it is industry. I will do the whole lot that I’ve to to stick right here with the Blue Jays. I find it irresistible right here. I need to be right here.”
Guerrero set a 9 p.m. Monday closing date for contract talks with the Blue Jays to steer clear of being a distraction, placing a focal point on team-first objectives.
The Jan. 10 contract settlement is the 3rd biggest ever landed via an arbitration-eligible participant, trailing simplest the $31 million that Juan Soto were given from the New York Yankees closing 12 months and the $30 million that Shohei Ohtani won from the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.
Guerrero mentioned Tuesday the huge deal the Mets struck with Soto in unfastened company — 15 years, $765 million — isn’t a attention for him in contract negotiations. Guerrero and Soto have been in the similar global signing magnificence in 2015.
“Soto’s deal had not anything to do with my determination in any respect,” Guerrero mentioned. “Even ahead of that, I knew my worth. I knew my quantity.”
Laborious-line negotiations were found in Guerrero’s dealings with the Blue Jays for a couple of years.
Guerrero made $19.9 million in 2024. That determine was once set via an arbitration panel over the $18.05 million that the Blue Jays had presented.
Guerrero grew to become in a fourth instantly All-Celebrity season, captured his 2nd Silver Slugger Award and completed 6th in American League MVP balloting in 2024. The primary baseman hit .323 with a .396 on-base share, a .544 slugging share, 30 homers and 103 RBIs in 159 video games. He led baseball with a .376 batting moderate after the All-Celebrity damage; he was once 8th in MLB with 46 RBIs all the way through that extend.
Thru six primary league seasons with the Blue Jays, Guerrero owns a .288/.363/.500 batting line with 160 homers and 507 RBIs in 819 video games.
–Box Stage Media