Insider Ben Nicholson-Smith on Vladimir Guerrero's future in Toronto
According to Toronto Blue Jays Insider Ben Nicholson-Smith, there are questions about the future of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the organization.
Nicholson-Smith made the comments on 590 The Fan:
"I think it's gone from, 'Hey, are the Blue Jays going to choose to extend Vladdy? To, is Vladdy going to choose the Jays?"
It should be noted that this is more speculation than actual reporting, but that's a sobering thought for the franchise with regards to Guerrero Jr., who is a free agent at the end of the 2025 season.
The Blue Jays currently have an aging roster that has questions. Bo Bichette is also slated for free agency after the 2025 season while Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and George Springer are all nearing the end of their deals.
Furthermore, the Jays have already non-tendered Jordan Romano.
Vladdy slashed .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs in 697 plate appearances in 2024.
For the fourth consecutive season, Guerrero Jr. led the team in home runs.
In terms of wRC+, his 165 wRC+ ranked sixth in the league behind Bobby Witt Jr. Yordan Álvarez, Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge.
Even with a slow start from the first moth to April 30th when he slashed .229/.331/.347 with three home runs in 136 plate appearances for a 100 wRC+. Guerrero Jr finished strong from May till the end of the season when he won his second career Silver Slugger award and was named to the All-MLB First Team.
The clear decision is to keep Guerrero Jr since he is their best player and locking him down would help the team land big time free agents this winter but for some reason, Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins seems to think differently.
Ideally, the Blue Jays re-sign Guerrero Jr. as soon as possible, and maybe even bring in his friend, Juan Soto.
That may be wishful thinking, but the Blue Jays have to do something big this off-season.
