A dark cloud may finally be lifting over the Toronto Blue Jays as reports suggest the organization is ready to make a franchise-altering offer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The four-time All-Star and face of the franchise halted extension talks at the beginning of spring training when the two sides found themselves approximately $50 million apart in negotiations.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal previously reported Guerrero sought a $500 million contract in present value, while the Blue Jays countered with an offer containing significant deferrals that would have reduced the present-day value to between $400 million and $450 million.
Though Guerrero initially declared a firm negotiation deadline, he later softened his stance, indicating openness to entertaining a new offer from Toronto.
Now, it appears the Blue Jays are preparing to meet their superstar’s demands with a historic proposal.
MLB insider: Toronto Blue Jays ready to pay Vladimir Guerrero Jr. upwards of $600 million
According to MLB insider Hector Gomez, Toronto is expected to present Guerrero with a new offer potentially reaching $600 million.
“The #BlueJays are planning to make a new offer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which will be close to what he is looking for,” Gomez posted on X. “According to the source, the Jays’ offer would be in the range of 14-15 years and $550-600 million.”
SOURCE: The #BlueJays are planning to make a new offer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which will be close to what he is looking for.
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) March 17, 2025
According to the source, the Jays' offer would be in the range of 14-15 years and $550-600 million.@z101digital
The report doesn’t specify whether this proposal includes deferred compensation. If the extension reaches $600 million, it would be the third-highest contract in MLB history.
This development should ease growing concerns among the Blue Jays faithful who have feared losing their cornerstone player to free agency or even a mid-season trade.
Further fueling optimism, Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro expressed confidence to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson about retaining Guerrero long-term.
“I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him,” Shapiro stated.
He continued: “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.”
When informed of Shapiro’s comments, Guerrero told reporters he remains receptive to staying in Toronto.
“I’ve always felt good about the whole thing. I’m good with that. Just going to keep working very hard and be optimistic, too,” Guerrero told Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae. “Not going to shut the door on them… I’ll be open. But 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.”
"Not going to shut the door on them… I'll be open. But 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" (2/2)
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) March 20, 2025
Guerrero is coming off an exceptional 2024 campaign where he hit 30 home runs and a career-high 44 doubles, while slashing .323/.396/.544 with a 166 OPS+ and 6.2 bWAR.
