Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Jonathan Dyer/Imagn Images
Blue Jays fans, it’s time to accept reality even if the truth hurts. Superstar slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may be playing his final season in the City of Toronto.
What is good about this for Vlad is that it could open the door for him to be dealt to a team contending for a World Series Championship.
Blue Jays Trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr: How it Began
Guerrero Jr. will be one of the biggest names in free agency next season, entering the final season of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays made a valiant effort to resign him this off-season, but both parties couldn’t agree to a deal.
Because they could not make a deal before the start of spring training, it wouldn’t happen. Vlad made it clear that he would not hold talks during the season.
Distractions
The Blue Jays can certainly qualify for the playoffs this season, but even with that possibility, this whole scenario with Vlad could be very intrusive. In fact, Vlad already discussed his possible free agency with the New York Media.
Do the Blue Jays let this ride out all year long?
Of course, while he is still with the Blue Jays, he’ll give the politically correct answer about how he loves it there and wants to be loyal to them for the rest of his career.
We know the real answer is that if the Blue Jays were going to give him the money he originally asked for or if Vlad was going to negotiate to stay, it would have already happened.
If the Blue Jays want the distraction to vanish before next offseason, they should consider trading him to a contender for young prospects at the deadline. Otherwise, he may walk away from the organization for nothing in return in the 2026 offseason.
Other Teams Interested
New York Yankees
One contender that makes perfect sense is the New York Yankees. Baseball analysts consider the Yankees a World Series contender even though they lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets.
Additionally, Vlad is a first baseman, and right now, the Yankees have Paul Goldschmidt signed to a one-year deal at first base. Goldschmidt is 37 years old and may not re-sign with the Bronx Bombers in 2026.
While Vlad has said in the past that he would never play for the New York Yankees, that could change next offseason.
If the Yankees are still built to win a World Series now, and Vlad gets a nice payday from the Yanks, those two things would trump hatred.
Additionally, he’s a year younger than Soto and would cost about $300 million less than if they had resigned Soto this season.
With Aaron Judge still the primary power hitter and Giancarlo Stanton declining with elbow injuries, Judge and Guerrero could be another one-two punch reminiscent of 2024 with Judge and Soto.
Blue Jays Trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to New York Mets
Oh Boy, Vlad and Soto are both in the Queens. It’s rich enough that the Mets have one of the highest payrolls in the game with the luxury tax. It’s another thing to increase your World Series odds even higher next year than this year.
This move would make sense, too. Pete Alonso resigned with the Mets this year, but his contract is two years and $54 million. Adding Vlad to the fold may work, but it could cause a distraction similar to his current one in Toronto.
Vlad would be a star with the Mets as the number two guy next to number one Soto. Together, this pair would be like Judge and Soto with the Yanks in 2024.
The question is, would he want to be the number two guy with the Mets instead of the Yankees?
Blue Jays Trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Boston Red Sox
If he wanted to play in the city of the Charles River, then Vlad should want to be traded to B-town to play for the Sox. Vlad would be a power-hitting presence, similar to David Ortiz, a Red Sox.
He could also be Boston’s number-one guy and help a young team more about stealing bases get back into the playoffs and make a World Series run.
Boston, you’re Vlad’s home.
With Vlad only having one year left on his contract and not coming to terms with the Blue Jays, hopefully one of the other three interested teams will be able to lear the talented 1st basemen away to help their team in 2026.
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