The Toronto Blue Jays failed to extend Vladimir Guererro before his Feb.18 deadline. As it stands, Guerrero will be a free agent after the season and CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa called him an early candidate to be traded at this season’s deadline. A trade for Guerrero would not net the same return in the summer as it would now, but perhaps that’s why Axisa surprisingly called the Milwaukee Brewers a potential landing spot for Guerrero.
“I assume Toronto will try to re-sign Vlad Jr. after this season, and in that case, keeping him at the deadline makes sense,” wrote Axisa. “But, if the season goes off the rails and the Blue Jays are well out of the race, they have to at least listen, right? It would be irresponsible not to.”
The Brewers are usually not a contender for players like Guerrero. However, if the Brewers once again defy expectations and find themselves among the best in the National League while the Blue Jays’ season slips away from them, the Brewers may be willing to pay for a half-season of Guerrero.
Re-signing Guerrero would be out of the realm of reality for the Brewers. However, trading prospects and perhaps one of their young, big-league outfielders to maximize their chance at a World Series could be something they do.
There is still a chance Guerrero stays in Toronto. According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, he wants to end his career there.
“I want to be here,” Guerrero told MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson after failing to agree to an extension. “I want to be a Blue Jay for the rest of my career.”
The Blue Jays are reportedly preparing to make Guerrero a new offer, closer to what he told ESPN’s Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez he is looking for.
“SOURCE: The (Blue Jays) are planning to make a new offer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which will be close to what he is looking for,” MLB insider Héctor Gómez wrote on X. “According to the source, the Jays’ offer would be in the range of 14-15 years and $550-600 million.”
There is a real possibility Guerrero will become the prize of the summer. The Blue Jays will be looking for young players and top prospects in exchange for just half a season of Guerrero. If the Brewers think he will be the difference in them finally making a World Series run they could shock the league and acquire him.
More MLB: Yankees Could Swing Much-Needed Trade With Cardinals for $15 Million Starter
Read the full article here
