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Mere hours ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays taking the field for Opening Day, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the franchise has made an offer to star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to extend his stay with the team.
This latest offer represents a positive sign for the the Jays’ efforts to retain the slugger. However, sources added that Guerrero and the Jays have gaps to fill and that any potential contract discussions during the season remain up in the air. Ahead of Spring Training, Guerrero publicly acknowledged that he had set a deadline with the Jays — any potential deal would have to be agreed upon before Day 1 of Spring Training. If no deal was reached, Guerrero would pause talks until after the season.
Toronto’s star is a free agent following the 2025 season. In early March, the 26-year-old told ESPN that his representatives presented the Jays a contract ahead of his deadline that would have paid him less than $600 million. According to Guerrero, the two sides were around $50 million apart.
While the franchise and fanbase will enter the season with uncertainty regarding Guerrero’s future with the club, team president Mark Shapiro remains optimistic about the star staying in Toronto long-term.
“I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him,” Shapiro told reporters on March 20. “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 and be a true legacy player for the Toronto Blue Jays. That’s a pretty good place to start.”
“I’ve always felt good about the whole thing,” Guerrero said. “I’m good with that. Just going to keep working very hard and be optimistic, too. Not going to shut the door on them.
“… I’m going to leave that to my agents to work with that. If there’s something there, they’re going to continue to work with that. I’m just going to be on the field, focusing on my teammates, on my team, on my game.”
The four-time All-Star and the Jays begin their 2025 season with a seven-game homestand — hosting Baltimore for four games before welcoming the Nationals for a three-game tilt.
