7 days agoKeegan Matheson of MLB.com reports that Toronto Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro believes the team will reach an agreement with first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on an extension. "We have such a clear alignment on the desired outcome," said Shapiro. "Vlad wants to play his whole career as a Toronto Blue Jay. We want him to end his career in a Blue Jays uniform...That's a pretty good place to start." When negotiations were last reported, Vladdy Jr. and the Jays were roughly $50 million apart, as the star slugger is looking for a contract similar to that of New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto. Guerrero Jr. hit a career-high .323 last season and has not played in fewer than 156 games since the start of 2021. Whether both parties will strike a deal remains to be seen. Regardless, the 26-year-old is RotoBaller's top option at first base and should be one of the more productive bats overall in 2025.
--Alex CiullaSource: Keegan Matheson
3 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says that the latest contract-extension proposal his representatives presented to the team was for 15 years and significantly lower than outfielder
Juan Soto's deal with the New York Mets -- even lower than $600 million. Toronto and Guerrero were unable to agree on anything before the start of spring training, setting him up to be a free agent after the 2025 season. "I'm looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way," Guerrero said. In seven games this spring, the 25-year-old slugger is hitting .412 with a 1.121 OPS, a homer and three RBI in seven games. Contract issues aside, Guerrero is the top-ranked fantasy first baseman at RotoBaller this year and has added protection in outfielder
Anthony Santander.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez
3 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on Thursday that he plans to bat first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the two-hole this year, with new outfielder
Anthony Santander behind him in the No. 3 spot. "2,3 Vlad and Tony (Santander), and then from there could be Bo (Bichette).. could be Bo 1, could be Bo 4, depending on who we're facing," Schneider said. Guerrero mostly hit third for the Blue Jays in 2024 despite beginning the season in the two-hole. The 25-year-old has been an All-Star each of the last four seasons and went on to hit .323/.396/.544 with a .940 OPS, 30 home runs, 103 RBI and 98 runs scored in 697 plate appearances and 159 games played. Especially with added protection in Santander behind him in the batting order, Vladdy should be considered a top-15 fantasy hitter. He finished last year as the top fantasy first baseman and is ranked there heading into his seventh big-league season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Hazel Mae
1 month agoToronto Blue Jays first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was unable to reach a contract extension with the team before the set deadline. Earlier in the offseason, the first baseman set a February 18 deadline for contract discussions to not interfere with spring training. However, both sides were unable to come to an agreement and will now resume talks at the conclusion of the season. The 25-year-old is set to reach free agency following the 2025 campaign and will likely be the top player on the open market. Last season, Guerrero posted an impressive .323/.396/.544 slash line with 30 home runs and two stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated an elite .408 xwOBA, .321 xBA, and a .567 xSLG, which placed him in the 98th percentile among qualified hitters. He has hit at least 30 home runs in three of his previous four campaigns and held an overall .293/.370/.517 line over this stretch. Guerrero should be viewed as the consensus top first baseman in all formats heading into the 2025 campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Keegan Matheson
RADIO
