The Toronto Blue Jays are running out of time to lock in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a long-term deal before he hits the open market.
The four-time All-Star has made his stance clear: If an extension isn’t finalized by February 18 the team’s first full-squad workout he will halt negotiations and explore free agency after the season.
Guerrero already turned down a reported $340 million offer from Toronto earlier this offseason, setting the stage for a high-stakes standoff. With just days remaining, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins spoke about the ongoing contract talks.
Blue Jays GM: ‘We Will Never Close the Door’ on Guerrero Extension
When addressing the situation, Atkins chose his words carefully.
“We’ve worked extremely hard to keep Vlad here long-term,” he said, per ESPN. “The desire is strong, and we will continue to work toward that. We will never close the door.”
He emphasized the team’s disciplined approach to roster-building, stating, “Everything needs to be considered, but it has to be viewed historically rather than reactively. Sticking to our valuations and focusing on the best possible roster construction is crucial there are so many factors at play.”
Guerrero, set to earn $28.5 million this season, is coming off a strong 2024 campaign where he smashed 30 home runs with a .940 OPS and a 166 OPS+. Alongside the Cubs’ Kyle Tucker, he is projected to be one of the most coveted free agents after the 2025 season.
The recent record-shattering $765 million deal secured by Juan Soto with the New York Mets has likely raised the stakes for superstar contracts.
Now, with only three days left before Guerrero’s self-imposed deadline, the Blue Jays are in a race against time one that could shape the future of the franchise.
