The New York Yankees are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on October 25, but trade rumors continue to circulate. One notable rumor suggests that the Yankees might consider trading for Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed an intriguing trade scenario involving four players between the Yankees and Blue Jays. In this proposal:
– Yankees receive:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., first baseman.
– Blue Jays receive:
Outfielder Spencer Jones, left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge, and right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter.
This trade would require the Yankees to part with three of their top 20 minor league prospects, with Jones ranked second, Selvidge seventh, and Beeter eighteenth on the Yankees’ prospect list according to MLB.com.
Miller explained that the Yankees are in need of a strong first baseman, as all six players who filled the position in 2024 had an OPS of .661 or lower. It’s expected that the Yankees will decline their $17 million club option on Anthony Rizzo in search of a better alternative. A trade for Guerrero could reshape the Yankees’ lineup, especially if they also manage to re-sign Juan Soto for 2025.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Would Be a Major Boost for the Yankees
In 2024, the Yankees had one of the league’s best offenses, with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto leading the charge and helping the team to a 117 wRC+. However, first basemen contributed little, ranking second-worst in MLB with a 76 wRC+. Guerrero, on the other hand, had an excellent season for Toronto, posting a 5.5 WAR, the highest among first basemen, and hitting .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. He’s also performed well historically at Yankee Stadium.
Guerrero earned $19.9 million in 2024 and is projected to make $29.6 million in 2025, his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent.
The Chances of Guerrero Joining the Yankees Are Slim
Despite the trade speculation, the likelihood of Guerrero landing with the Yankees remains low. He has previously expressed reluctance to join the Yankees, citing family reasons, although he softened his stance before the 2024 trade deadline. Additionally, Toronto is reportedly looking to extend Guerrero before he hits free agency and might prioritize keeping him if they make a serious push to acquire Soto.
While such a trade would be surprising, Guerrero’s past sentiments toward the Yankees and the teams’ rivalry in the AL East make it seem improbable for now.
