The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned down a $500 million contract offer extended by the Toronto Blue Jays. The offer includes $400-$450 million in deferred money, which Guerrero was amenable to do.
Signing this contract would have surpassed Shohei Ohtani’s ten-year, $700 million contract, which would be worth $460 million by the time of signing. However, Guerrero is negotiating for a contract that is as long as Juan Soto’s 15-year contract with the New York Mets. However, he’s not seeking a deal matching Soto’s $765 million.
The Blue Jays are hoping to lock in Guerrero’s services before he enters free agency. By then, he might command a higher salary and will have more suitors as one of the offseason’s top targets. While Guerrero’s OPS+ is far from Soto’s levels, his offensive upside at age 26 will entice other Major League Baseball teams to join the bidding war.
Last season, Guerrero slashed .323/.396/.594 with 30 home runs in 697 plate appearances. The two-time All-MLB First Team member signed a one-year, $28.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration.
-Lance Fernandez