Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 26-year-old first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays, is approaching free agency and is open to offers from all MLB teams. Despite expressing a desire to remain in Toronto, Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays have not reached a contract extension. The Blue Jays reportedly offered a $500 million contract with significant deferrals, reducing its present-day value to between $400 million and $450 million, which Guerrero Jr. declined. citeturn0news15 He is reportedly seeking a 14-year contract valued at $500 million in present-day value, averaging approximately $35.7 million annually. citeturn0search0 Guerrero Jr. has indicated that a strong 2025 season could elevate his contract expectations to around $700 million, comparable to Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers. citeturn0search2 As he enters his final year under contract, Guerrero Jr. is prepared to engage with any franchise interested in his talents.
Here’s what he had to say on his availability:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 26-year-old first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays, is approaching free agency and is open to offers from all MLB teams. Despite expressing a desire to remain in Toronto, Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays have not reached a contract extension. The Blue Jays reportedly offered a $500 million contract with significant deferrals, reducing its present-day value to between $400 million and $450 million, which Guerrero Jr. declined. citeturn0news12 He is reportedly seeking a 14-year contract valued at $500 million in present-day value, averaging approximately $35.7 million annually. citeturn0search0 Guerrero Jr. has indicated that a strong 2025 season could elevate his contract expectations to around $700 million, comparable to Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers. As he enters his final year under contract, Guerrero Jr. is prepared to engage with any franchise interested in his talents.
The Chicago Cubs’ recent acquisition of outfielder Kyle Tucker was intended to bolster their lineup with a star-caliber bat. Tucker, a three-time All-Star, was traded from the Houston Astros to the Cubs in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and minor-league infielder Cam Smith. citeturn0search0 However, Tucker is in the final year of his contract, making him eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. This situation presents a challenge for the Cubs, as they may need to consider long-term options to maintain offensive strength.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 26-year-old first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays, is set to become a free agent this offseason. He has expressed openness to offers from all MLB teams. Guerrero Jr. is reportedly seeking a contract exceeding $500 million in present value, with no deferred payments. This substantial demand positions financially robust teams, such as the New York Yankees, as potential suitors.
For the Cubs, Guerrero Jr.’s availability could be both an opportunity and a challenge. If Tucker departs in free agency, Guerrero Jr. could serve as a formidable replacement in the heart of Chicago’s lineup. However, securing Guerrero Jr. would require a significant financial commitment, potentially impacting the team’s flexibility in addressing other roster needs. The Cubs’ front office will need to weigh these factors carefully as they plan for the future.
The Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox, known for their willingness to spend big, are more likely than the Cubs to engage in a bidding war for Guerrero Jr. While Chicago is a major-market team with a rich history, its front office has been hesitant to commit to massive contracts in recent years.
The Cubs’ largest contract in franchise history remains Jason Heyward’s eight-year, $184 million deal signed in December 2015. Currently, only Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ are set to earn more than $20 million per season. If signed, Guerrero Jr.’s annual salary is expected to be around $35 million, significantly higher than any existing Cubs contract.
The big question remains: Will the Cubs finally break the bank for a marquee free agent like Guerrero Jr., or will they stick to their recent trend of cautious spending? With other big-market teams likely to drive up the price, Chicago’s willingness to spend will be put to the test.
Tucker’s decision could shift the Cubs’ priorities, but as it stands, Chicago seems more likely to be on the outside looking in when it comes to landing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in free agency.
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