Red Sox reportedly among ‘early favorites’ in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sweepstakes after extension talks fizzle
The four-time All-Star was unable to reach a deal with the Blue Jays by his self-imposed Monday night deadline.
Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. set a self-imposed deadline for negotiations regarding a possible contract extension with Toronto.
According to multiple reports, Guerrero and the club were unable to reach a deal by Monday night’s deadline.
“They expressed what they had. I expressed what I had,” Guerrero said, per MLB.com. “I’m here, and we didn’t get an agreement. Now, they’re going to have to compete with 29 more teams.”
The Red Sox could be in the mix if Guerrero makes it to free agency next year. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Guerrero has expressed interest in playing for Boston.
“It’s no secret that Vladimir Guerrero has told friends that if he hits free agency, he’d love to play for the Boston Red Sox,” Nightengale wrote. “Free agency begins in 8 1/2 months as Guerrero officially enters spring without a contract extension.”
Jon Heyman of the New York Post ranked the Red Sox No. 1 on his list of early favorites to sign Guerrero, ahead of the Yankees and Mets.
Guerrero, 25, is entering the final year of his deal. He will make $28.5 million this season. The four-time All-Star outfielder has averaged 34 home runs and 101 RBI’s over the past four seasons. He also has a Gold Glove and a pair of Silver Slugger awards under his belt.
Guerrero said he would like to stay in Toronto, but he and the club have more work to do in order to make it happen.
“I love the city. I love the fans. This is hard,” Guerrero said. “But at the end of the day, it’s business. I will do anything, everything that I have to stay here with the Blue Jays because I love it here. I want to be here. Like I say, though, it’s business, and I want to be good with that, too.”
Any team that signs Guerrero will likely be in for a hefty price tag. Last December, Guerrero rejected a $340 million contract extension offer that he said wasn’t close to what he was looking for. The bidding during the free-agent process could get considerably higher.
Rafael Devers signed an 11-year, $331 million extension that set the record for longest contract in franchise history in 2023. Juan Soto signed the most expensive deal in MLB history during this past offseason, inking a 15-year $765 million pact with the Mets.
Money is a key part of any free-agent decision, but the opportunity to win will also be an important factor, Guerrero said.
“My dad played a lot of years, and he never won the World Series,” Guerrero said. “And I always say my personal goal is to win a World Series and give the ring to my dad. So that’s all I’m looking for.”
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