Blue Jays plan new contract offer for Guerrero Jr

The Toronto Blue Jays have not reached a contract extension agreement with first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before the start of spring training. Despite this missed deadline, there may still be a chance for a deal. Insider Hector Gomes reported that the Blue Jays are preparing another offer for Guerrero. This new proposal could be a long-term deal lasting 14 to 15 years, worth between $550 million and $600 million. This amount is closer to what Guerrero is seeking. Earlier this month, Guerrero mentioned that the Blue Jays' initial offer was much lower than the recent 15-year, $765 million contract that outfielder Juan Soto received from the Mets. Guerrero's own counteroffer was below $600 million. Guerrero is known as one of baseball's top hitters. In 2024, he had an impressive batting average of .323, with 30 home runs and 44 doubles in 697 plate appearances. He is a four-time All-Star and was the runner-up for the AL MVP in 2021. Securing Guerrero with a long-term deal could have significant implications for the team. The Blue Jays have tried to sign major free agents in the past but faced difficulties at the last moment. While they did sign outfielder Anthony Santander recently, keeping Guerrero could help in attracting more top players to Toronto. Guerrero, who is 26 years old, could command a substantial deal if he reaches free agency. The Mets are particularly interested, as he would complement Soto well on their roster. The Blue Jays’ willingness to increase their offer may not be enough now, as time is running out for them to finalize a deal.