Could Blue Jays reconsider decision to keep Guerrero?
MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
July 19: Could Blue Jays reconsider decision to keep Guerrero?
The Blue Jays' Deadline intentions remain murky, but as the club's slide continues -- they finished the first half in fifth place in the AL East, 14 games behind the first-place Orioles and 9 1/2 out of the Wild Card race -- the front office's grip on its non-rental players seems to be loosening. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported Friday that Toronto is now expected at least to consider trade offers on players under contract beyond the 2024 season, potentially opening up the possibility of a trade involving Guerrero, who will become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season.
While there have been scattered reports of the Blue Jays and Guerrero's camp being engaged in talks for a long-term extension this season, a move that would effectively put a Deadline deal out of the question, none have indicated that the parties have come anywhere close to an agreement.
July 10: Blue Jays intending to keep Vlad Jr. at Deadline (sources)
With fewer than three weeks left before the July 30 Trade Deadline, the Blue Jays are 9 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. Barring a massive, sudden turnaround, they are preparing to be sellers this month, sources tell MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. But whom will they sell? Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s future has been the subject of much speculation this year, but Feinsand adds that the Blue Jays have no current plans to trade players who have team control beyond this season.
"According to sources, the Blue Jays have told other clubs that they are willing to move players with expiring contracts, but those with control beyond 2024 are not being traded," Feinsand wrote. "The consensus among a dozen executives we spoke with is that the Blue Jays will attempt to move most or all of their rental players if they sell, working to add some prospects to a farm system that entered the season ranked at No. 24 by MLB Pipeline."
Guerrero is under contract through the 2025 season. Same goes for fellow star infielder Bo Bichette, right-handed starter Chris Bassitt and closer Jordan Romano.
Toronto's impending free agents include infielder/DH Justin Turner, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi, righty relievers Yimi García and Trevor Richards, and catcher Danny Jansen.
June 25: Guerrero doesn't rule out Yankees
Earlier in his career, Guerrero firmly stated on multiple occasions that he'd never play for the Yankees. But an underwhelming first half of the season for the Blue Jays has evidently changed his stance. Toronto is sitting in last place in the AL East with a 35-43 record entering Tuesday, 16 games behind the Yankees and holding a less than one percent chance to make the playoffs, via Baseball Reference.
Consequently, Guerrero recently expressed that he would be "happy to help any team," even if it was the divisional rival in New York. Expanding further on the topic to Omar Guzmán of Virus Deportivo, Guerrero said: "It is not that I am trying to take back what I said about the Yankees. But this is a business. I sat down and spoke with my dad [Vladimir Guerrero] and my family, and this is a business. And I said I would never again talk about this topic [Yankees], and lots of people have asked me about it."
However, it is simultaneously worth noting that Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said on MLB Network radio earlier in June that it "doesn't make any sense for us" to trade Guerrero.