DUNEDIN – The Toronto Blue Jays and slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. didn’t attain an settlement on an extension earlier than his Tuesday deadline on contract negotiations.
The 25-year-old first baseman, who’s getting into the ultimate yr of his present deal, mentioned he doesn’t plan to proceed talks now that he has arrived at camp.
The developments pave the best way for Guerrero to turn out to be a free agent this fall.
“The final couple days, the entrance workplace, my legal professionals, my brokers, they met, each (sides) tried however clearly we couldn’t get an settlement,” Guerrero mentioned by way of interpreter Hector Lebron.
Guerrero didn’t get into specifics of the talks however did say the Blue Jays weren’t near the greenback determine he was on the lookout for.
“We by no means acquired to the purpose the place I felt like I wished to do the deal,” he mentioned.
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Guerrero can be one of many largest names obtainable if he had been to hit the open market after the World Collection.
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He hit .323 final season with 30 homers and 103 RBIs. Guerrero has been a key offensive cog within the Toronto lineup lately.
“We labored very onerous and the motivation remains to be there,” mentioned Blue Jays normal supervisor Ross Atkins. “I’m assured that each thought, thought we had – each greenback that we had – was communicated. However we’re clearly disillusioned to not have gotten that accomplished.
“It doesn’t change our need. We will definitely be motivated and stay motivated.”
Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro was scheduled to carry a media availability later Tuesday.
Like many gamers, Guerrero usually arrives properly earlier than deadline day to start figuring out and collaborating in early coaching classes. This yr, he labored out at a personal health club in close by Tampa.
The dearth of an extension was one other blow for a Blue Jays’ entrance workplace that missed out on superstars Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto during the last two years. Now it seems they should compete for Guerrero’s providers with 29 different groups this fall.
Guerrero got here up by means of the Toronto system and made his big-league debut in 2019. Within the 4 seasons for the reason that pandemic-shortened 2020 marketing campaign, he has averaged 34 homers and 101 RBIs a yr.
Either side are taking up danger by not getting a deal signed.
Guerrero’s inventory might drop if his numbers slip or he suffers a critical damage. In fact, one other robust marketing campaign would solely pad his pockets much more down the highway.
The Blue Jays, who want to rebound from a disappointing 74-88 marketing campaign, averted arbitration with Guerrero for 2025 when the 2 sides agreed to a US$28.5-million deal for the ultimate yr of group management.
Pre-season play begins Saturday towards the Yankees. The common season kicks off on March 27 towards the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 18, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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