ESPN: Discover the honest reason why the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets are in agreement over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Juan Soto is the reason why the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets are in agreement over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Before spring training began, the Toronto Blue Jays had one more opportunity to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. According to the Blue Jays shortstop, Guerrero Jr.’s ultimate asking price was around $600 million. Although Vladdy is an excellent player, Ross Atkins, a front
office official in Toronto, is ready to wager that his market value is low.
However, during the past two years, the Blue Jays have struggled in MLB free agency. After using Toronto as leverage, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto abruptly bailed to the coasts. If the Blue Jays miss the opportunity to sign Guerrero Jr., he could continue the trend.
However, Atkins was correct to call Guerrero Jr.’s bluff. Paying $600 million for a one-dimensional player is excessive, particularly if that player does not appear to be a plus defender or baserunner in the future. Despite being a fantastic hitter, Vladdy has three seasons with a WAR below -2.00. He has been hit or miss so far in his brief MLB career, and while he is undoubtedly a star and perennial MVP candidate, the Blue Jays can make up for his production with $400 million or less. Toronto isn’t afraid to spend. They are afraid to be hamstrung by one player.
Toronto Blue Jays should heed to Mets counsel with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Mets can help with this. New York signed Juan Soto to a $765 million contract this winter, which reset the market for great players. They have also been open about how this will affect their future expenditures and how much they will spend next winter. Even though Guerrero Jr. would be a great fit in New York, the Mets won’t outbid other clubs for Vladdy by $600 million. If I were Vladdy or his agent, I would check Crosstown.
His $600 million contract was “much less than Soto,” Guerrero Jr. said, but he must acknowledge that most owners are not Steve Cohen. It is hardly encouraging for Guerrero Jr.’s free agency if even Cohen is resigning.
Ross Atkins and the Blue Jays may learn a lot from the Mets’ discussions with Pete Alonso. Alonso finally accepted the Mets’ offer after they refused to lower their demands.
Although Guerrero Jr.’s initial offer will be far more than Alonso’s, they ought to let the market speak for itself instead than Vladdy. Guerrero Jr. is a good player in his peak, while Juan Soto is a generational talent who is perhaps the Ted Williams of his time. A distinction exists.
