MLB Rumors: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays Contract Talks to Renew After Trade Buzz

After trade buzz around the deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays will renew contract talks with star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this winter, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Heyman noted that Toronto is more likely to secure Guerrero to a long-term deal than his teammate Bo Bichette.

"The Blue Jays are again expected to try to lock up superstar first baseman/third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this winter, and though they have a better shot with Guerrero than co-star Bo Bichette, they will need to step up efforts to keep Guerrero, who's in great shape and back to near MVP level," Heyman wrote.

Heyman compared Guerrero's potential deal this offseason to Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers' 10-year, $313.5 million deal he signed last summer. Devers had 33 home runs, 100 RBI and a .271 batting average in 2023 when he was awarded the lucrative deal.

Guerrero has had an outstanding sixth season, collecting 28 homers, 92 RBI and .328 batting through 138 games. He's put up the best batting average of his career this year and will likely finish with the second-most home runs, only behind the 2021 season when he had 48.

After a big year, the Blue Jays will likely need to have a big offer prepared for Guerrero to keep him from departing in free agency after the 2025 season.

As Heyman noted, Bichette could be harder to retain when he becomes a free agent in 2025, and the Blue Jays are reportedly preparing to feel out the trade market for him this offseason, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

"The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to entertain trade offers this winter for shortstop Bo Bichette, who has no plans to stay in Toronto once he's a free agent after the 2025 season," Nightengale wrote in August.

In the meantime, Toronto will finish the remainder of what has been a disappointing season. The Blue Jays sit at the bottom of the AL East at 67-74 on the year and have virtually no chance of reaching the postseason.

If Toronto can lock down Guerrero this offseason, it would at least give fans something to be happy about this year.