The Blue Jays–Vladimir Guerrero Jr. saga seems far from over. Since Guerrero signed a one-year deal with the Jays earlier this year to avoid arbitration, the rumor mills have gone into overdrive. Now, just one week into the regular season, the lengthy talks between the Blue Jays and their star first baseman seem to be nearing a conclusion. While the Jays are reportedly set to meet Guerrero’s expectations, fans are eager to hear directly from him. So, where will he ultimately end up post-2025? This question has been posed to the 26-year-old slugger several times, but this time he finally responded.

MLB insider Mike Rodriguez claims that the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are “very close” to reaching a contract extension that would keep Guerrero in Toronto for the next 10–13 years. The deal is reportedly set to match Guerrero’s initial expectation of around $500 million. While Guerrero and the Jays failed to reach an agreement before his self-imposed February deadline, talks between the two sides never fully broke down. Now, Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro seems optimistic about bringing Vladdy back for the long haul.
“I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him,” Shapiro said.

The reason behind Shapiro’s eagerness to lock in Guerrero lies in Vladdy’s outstanding stats. Guerrero has a career slash line of .287/.362/.499 and is coming off a season where he appeared in 159 games for the Jays, hit 30 home runs, drove in 103 runs, and lowered his strikeout rate. With the team reportedly ready to meet his demands, the spotlight now shifts to Guerrero: what is he thinking? “Like I said before, I’m playing right now. I’m concentrating on the games, on my teammates,” Guerrero said to SNY. Thus, putting all the rumors about his contract with the Blue Jays to rest. Let’s take it in a way that nothing is concrete yet from Guerrero’s end.

Thursday’s game between the Mets and Blue Jays only added fuel to the rumors surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. For those who may not have seen it, there was a huge applause from Mets fans when Guerrero was introduced. These fans are well aware of Guerrero Jr.’s upcoming free agency unless he signs a deal with the Blue Jays before the regular season ends.

They also remember the Mets’ winter inquiry about him. Of course, the Mets didn’t land Guerrero Jr. and instead re-signed Pete Alonso, but the fan response says a lot. It’s tough to quiet those rumors. While Guerrero has publicly downplayed his interest in the Mets, it’s clear he’s aiming for a team with a better chance at winning.

The Jays’ poor postseason stint is making Guerrero rethink

The Blue Jays’ struggles in recent postseason appearances are making Guerrero reconsider his long-term future in Toronto. An intensely competitive AL East division, inconsistent pitching, and underperforming key players have all contributed to the Jays’ postseason woes. Despite entering the playoffs in 2023, they didn’t get far, and the team has not won a World Series since 1993. This year doesn’t look much better, with Fangraphs giving the Blue Jays poor odds to make the playoffs. The Jays haven’t made enough roster improvements, particularly in their offense, to contend with the Yankees, Orioles, and the rest of the AL East. The game against the Mets highlighted how much further the Jays have to go before they can be considered true contenders.

According to MLB analyst Rob Longley, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is seeking a “winning team.” Could the Jays be that team? Toronto did pursue big names like Roki Sasaki and Juan Soto during the offseason but ultimately missed out on both. Given the numbers Guerrero is putting up, which are comparable to those of Soto, he certainly deserves a better lineup and a deeper postseason run. Guerrero has posted 160 career home runs, close to Soto’s 179. So, it’s clear that Guerrero’s expectations—potentially a $500 million deal—are reasonable. However, it would take a significant shift toward a winning approach from the Jays to secure the slugger’s future in Toronto.

For now, Guerrero is focusing on the season ahead, leaving the contract discussions to his agents. Fans, however, will be waiting anxiously to see what decision he makes in the coming months.

Do you think Guerrero will stay with the Blue Jays, or is his future elsewhere?