Vladimir Guerrero Jr. expressed his desire to be a lifelong member of the Toronto Blue Jays, but contract negotiations between him and the team fell through, leaving his future with the franchise uncertain.
In a conversation with reporters on Tuesday, Guerrero, 25, revealed that the Blue Jays’ last offer was far from what he was seeking, leading to a standstill in talks.
“They had their numbers; I had my numbers,” Guerrero stated through interpreter Hector Lebro.
The Blue Jays’ general manager, Ross Atkins, claimed that the team’s offers to Guerrero were groundbreaking and would have positioned him as one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Guerrero, a four-time All-Star, who had an impressive season with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs, plans to refrain from further negotiations during the season and is set to become a free agent in November.
“I’m here. We didn’t reach an agreement,” Guerrero emphasized. “Now, they’ll have to compete with 29 other teams.”
Guerrero, heading into his seventh season with the Blue Jays, boasts a career .288 batting average and has consistently delivered stellar performances with over 30 home runs in three of the past four seasons and at least 90 RBIs since 2021. Losing a key player like Guerrero, along with the potential departure of shortstop Bo Bichette in 2025, would be a significant blow for the team.
Despite the setback in negotiations, Guerrero reiterated his desire to stay in Toronto, stating, “I will do everything possible to remain here because I truly want to be part of this team.” However, his ultimate goal is to achieve success and win a World Series, a feat that has eluded his father.
“A winning team is what I’ll be seeking in free agency,” Guerrero emphasized. “My personal goal is to win a World Series and dedicate the championship ring to my father.”