MLB Rumors: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 'Going to Expect' $500M+ Contract in Free Agency

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is reportedly "going to expect over $500 million" when he hits free agency next offseason, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network, who made his remarks on the Baseball Insiders podcast with Robert Murray.

"He's not Soto," Heyman began. "He's not getting $765 million, but he's going to expect over $500 million, so how many teams can afford that? It is a limited number of teams that can afford it and are willing to go there."

Guerrero, who turns 26 on March 16, has played his entire six-year career in Toronto. Last year, the four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger hit .323 (.940 OPS) with 30 home runs and 103 RBI.

After arriving at spring training, Guerrero told reporters that there aren't plans to negotiate a contract extension. Guerrero previously said he had no plans to discuss an extension after arriving in Dunedin, Florida, for the Blue Jays' spring training.

ESPN's Jeff Passan relayed more from Guerrero, who said he and Toronto were never close on talks. However, he is interested in a potential return.

Toronto finds itself in trouble after a promising four-year run from 2020-2023, when the team made the playoffs in three seasons. The lone exception was 2021, when a 91-win Blue Jays team missed the postseason by one game.

Those squads were led by a promising young core. However, the Blue Jays collapsed in 2024, going 74-88. Now Toronto could find itself without both Guerrero and Bo Bichette, another impending free agent who's made two All-Star Games but struggled last year in an injury-shortened season.

For now, though, Guerrero remains a Blue Jay as Toronto hopes to bounce back from a tough 2024 campaign.