The Boston Pink Sox could possibly be an ideal match for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., pending the 25-year-old’s present state of affairs with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Guerrero, a four-time All-Star approaching the prime of his profession, is rumored to purpose for a long-term contract earlier than the beginning of 2025. Thus far, no cube. The Blue Jays haven’t locked their younger homegrown slugger but, prompting early hypothesis about Guerrero’s potential departure from Toronto — he’s set to enter free company in 2026.
The value? It’s anticipated to be steep whether or not this offseason or the following.
“That one’s gonna be long-term or bust,” ex-MLB common supervisor Jim Duquette informed MLB Community Radio Thursday. “This isn’t gonna be a ‘Oh, let’s simply do a two-year deal and buyout one yr free agent.’ It’s gonna be a 12 to 15-year deal if it will get accomplished.”
Toronto is getting into its closing yr of management over Guerrero and if a deal isn’t struck, loads of groups throughout the league will probably be lining up. Guerrero doesn’t flip 26 till March and agreeing to phrases on a 10-year deal would preserve the slugger round till his age 35 season. That’s a positive state of affairs for any entrance workplace, particularly for a franchise competing within the American League East.
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If that doesn’t come to fruition in Toronto, the Pink Sox ought to execute a plan of assault.
Boston took a swing at this offseason’s Juan Soto sweepstakes, going all out with campaigns from David Ortiz, multi-hour conferences in California and a contract supply mentioned to have reached the $700 million vary. It’s clear for the suitable slugger, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is prepared to go the additional mile and Guerrero matches that profile.
Guerrero batted a career-best .323 with 30 house runs and 103 RBIs final season by means of 159 video games with the Blue Jays. He recorded a 6.2 WAR, and the right-handed hitter’s numbers at Fenway Park, too, communicate for themselves. Pink Sox supervisor Alex Cora has gotten a front-row seat to the Guerrero present, watching Vladdy Jr. slash .356/.432/.622 with 10 house runs, 18 doubles and 44 RBIs in 46 video games performed at Fenway Park — drawing 25 walks throughout 206 plate appearances.
That’s a lineup-changing kind of bat, one a group seeking to finish its three-year playoff drought may use for the long run.
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Guerrero, in tandem with fellow Dominican Republic native Rafael Devers, can be the right clubhouse co-leader for Boston’s up-and-coming younger group. Prospects together with Kristian Campbell, Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer are on the horizon and Guerrero’s 30-plus house run bat within the lineup may alleviate among the rookie strain.
Boston additionally may have some priceless flexibility in inserting Guerrero at first base, third base, or the designated hitter’s function.
The entrance workplace hasn’t dedicated long-term to a free agent since signing Masataka Yoshida to a five-year contract out of Japan three years in the past. Guerrero has additionally confirmed himself as a giant leaguer, almost performed alongside Devers within the 2023 World Baseball Traditional and would massively improve Boston’s offense fully.
