Toronto Blue Jays management confident they'll keep Guerrero: "I think we're going to sign him"
The Toronto Blue Jays front office remains extremely optimistic that they will work out a contract extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Jays and Guerrero Jr. failed to come to terms on a contract extension before spring training began, which has resulted in plenty of speculation that he would depart in free agency next offseason, or possibly be traded prior to the deadline.
The first baseman has made it clear he hasn’t ruled out signing with the Blue Jays, though it seemed like the front office wasn’t willing to give him the money he feels he’s worth. That said, President Mark Shapiro strongly believes the two sides will work out a long-term deal.
“My overarching feeling is one of optimism. I think we’re going to sign him,” Shapiro told reporters this morning. “I think we’re going to extend him. The reason I feel that way is because we have such a clear alignment on the desired outcome. Vlad wants to play his whole career as a Toronto Blue Jay. We want him to end his career in a Blue Jays uniform to be a true legacy player for the Toronto Blue Jays.”
This is great news for Jays fans, as this team would likely be destined for a rebuild if they were to move on from Guerrero Jr. The 26-year-old was their only source of consistent offence last season, hitting .323 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs in 159 games.
It’s been reported that Guerrero Jr. was seeking a 15-year deal that came in just below $600 million. That angered Jays fans, who questioned why the front office wouldn’t be willing to sign him to that type of deal. They have more than enough money to do so, having reportedly offered Juan Soto a similar contract to the 15-year, $765 million deal he wound up signing with the New York Mets.
Until a contract is signed, there will continue to be speculation in regards to the future of Guerrero Jr. The fact that management still believes they will re-sign him, however, is positive news.
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