MLB Rumors: Vlad Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays in Contract Talks amid Alonso, Trade Buzz

The New York Mets have reportedly "checked in" on Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s trade availability, but the first baseman might not be going anywhere this offseason.

Per Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Blue Jays and Guerrero are "actively negotiating" an extension, meaning the Mets landing him in a trade could be "wishful thinking" for New York.

Nicholson-Smith also noted that the Mets' reported push to land Guerrero is "possibly an attempt to gain leverage on Pete Alonso."

Alonso, a free agent, has reportedly received interest from a handful of teams, one of which is the Blue Jays, per Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Sammon and Rosenthal also noted that the pursuit of Alonso doesn't rule out signing Guerrero to a long-term deal as Toronto would prefer to pair the two first basemen together.

SNY's Andy Martino reported on Thursday that the Mets "have pivoted to plan B, post-Alonso" and expect the star to sign elsewhere. With the Blue Jays and Guerrero reportedly actively in contract talks, we'll see if New York decides to make another push for Alonso.

Guerrero, who has been with the Blue Jays his entire career, has been seeking a long-term deal from Toronto for a while now but has yet to land it. Earlier this month, Guerrero and the Blue Jays agreed to a $28.5 million salary for 2025, avoiding arbitration with the third-highest salary paid to an arbitration-eligible player in MLB history.

Even though the two sides avoided arbitration and are seemingly still working on an extension, Guerrero's future in Toronto is far from guaranteed. Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Guerrero is seeking "at least" $450 million and he and the Blue Jays are "at least $100 million apart."

Nightengale also noted that if he doesn't land an extension by spring training, he'll test free agency.

Guerrero, 25, is coming off a season in which he finished sixth in AL MVP voting after hitting .323/.396/.544 with 30 homers and 103 RBI in 159 games.