It has been a irritating offseason for the Toronto Blue Jays. Whereas they’ve been within the combine for marquee free brokers, Toronto’s pursuits have ended up falling quick. Whereas Toronto’s incapacity to lure a star north of the border has been irritating, this isn’t the Blue Jays’ largest drawback. Regardless of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s want to stick with the Blue Jays, the crew has been unable to give you an extension. Vlad Jr. is eligible without cost company after subsequent season. The 2 sides are reportedly not near agreeing to a deal. Vladdy not too long ago gave the crew a Spring Coaching deadline to barter in any other case all dialogue would finish. Given how badly the crew has mishandled contract negotiations and the franchise’s murky future, Vlad Jr. is best off enjoying elsewhere.
The Greatest Homegrown Star Toronto Has Had In Years
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been the largest homegrown star the Toronto Blue Jays have had in a few years. He’s completed rather a lot in simply a short while within the huge leagues. In six seasons with the crew, Vladdy has slashed .288/.363/.500 with 160 homers, 507 RBI, and an OPS of .863. Final season, he was the most effective participant on a dreadful Blue Jays crew. The 25-year-old has been an all-star 4 years in a row, earned two Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove. A lot to the delight of Blue Jays followers, Vlad Jr. even expressed a want to play the remainder of his profession north of the border. Nevertheless, regardless of Vladdy’s curiosity in being a profession Blue Jay, the crew hasn’t been in a position to give you an extension settlement.
The Crew Has Badly Mishandled Making an attempt To Prolong Vladdy
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The Blue Jays entrance workplace has badly bungled Vladdy’s contract negotiations. The most effective time for the crew to increase Vlad Jr. was two years in the past. The franchise knew what it had with Vlad Jr., and it will have value much less to increase him. Nevertheless, with Juan Soto signing a $765 million deal this offseason, the value to increase Guerrero Jr. has now elevated. Reportedly, Vladdy’s asking worth is over $400 million. The Blue Jays have proven to this point that they’re unwilling to pay him that form of cash. Guerrero Jr. not too long ago turned down a deal value $340 million from the crew. Nevertheless, it ought to be famous that this is identical entrance workplace that was keen to pay Soto, who’s only a 12 months youthful than Vladdy, considerably extra.
The Blue Jays Future Is Unsure
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Throughout Vladdy’s time in Toronto, the crew has by no means superior previous the Wild Card spherical of the postseason and has been swept every time. Final season, the crew completed in final place within the AL East. The 2026 season doesn’t look too promising both and it is a crew whose future is unsure. Key gamers like Bo Bichette, Chris Bassitt, Chad Inexperienced, and Erik Swanson will all be free brokers after subsequent season. The next 12 months, different huge contributors like George Springer, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Daulton Varsho, Alejandro Kirk, and Yimi Garcia will hit the open market. The crew received’t be capable of retain all of them. Toronto’s farm system is at present ranked 24th with no prospects inside the highest 100. Whereas the crew goes to try to compete in 2025, an extended rebuild is forward for the crew.
The Blue Jays Deserve To Lose Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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If Vladdy enters free company, there might be a crew keen to fulfill his asking worth, if not exceed it. Groups crave for all-star caliber gamers like Vlad Jr. to be of their lineup for years to come back. That is yet one more mistake made by the entrance workplace regime of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins. Given how the Blue Jays have mishandled Vladdy’s negotiations, their unsure future, and the franchise’s determination to prioritize different free brokers over their star; Toronto deserves to lose Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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