Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reveals final offer from his representatives about possible extension with Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reveals final offer from his representatives about possible extension with Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays were not able to agree to an extension this offseason, one year before the lauded slugger hit free agency.

At the start of winter, free agent Juan Soto signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets. Guerrero, another soon-to-be 26-year-old that projects to be a designated hitter for most of the rest of his career, revealed earlier this week that his wasn’t close to Soto’s, falling below $600 million with similar years.

“It’s much less than Soto. We’re talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less,” Guerrero said, according to ESPN. “It was the same number of years [as Soto’s contract], but it didn’t reach [$600 million]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn’t reach 600.

“I know the business. I lowered the salary demands a bit, but I also lowered the number of years … I’m looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way.

“There was an exchange [of salary figures]. The meetings lasted until the last day of the deadline but they [the Blue Jays and Guerrero’s agents] couldn’t reach an agreement on the numbers. But as I’ve always said, just because we couldn’t reach an agreement, I’m not going to change the way I work. I have to keep working.”

It would make sense that Guerrero’s number doesn’t quite reach Soto’s asking price.

While Guerrero’s one of the best young hitters in the sport, he’s not a generational talent quite like Soto is. His two best seasons are comparable to Soto’s average production over his career–while the latter has reached heights as a hitter that Guerrero hasn’t, respectfully.

He is coming off the second-best season of his career. He slashed .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. The Blue Jays are not in a good spot competing with the rest of the market for their four-time All-Star, who will be one of the sought-after free agents next winter.

Few players have willingly taken the Blue Jays’ money over the last several seasons. Guerrero may not be one of them, either. They have tried to shell out salary, but the quality of destination that they will become with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. plummets–even if they keep Bo Bichette and Anthony Santander, among others.

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