Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Trade Rumors: Blue Jays Want to Top Yankees' Package for Soto
January 16, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays want a large trade package if the team chooses to move star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.
"To even think about trading Guerrero, a package would have to include major leaguers and top prospects and exceed the value the San Diego Padres received from the New York Yankees for Soto, league sources said," Rosenthal and Sammon wrote on Thursday.
The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from the Padres in Dec. 2023, sending out right-handed pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez. They also dealt starting pitching prospect Drew Thorpe as well as catcher Kyle Higashioka.
King finished No. 7 in National League Cy Young Award voting during his first year in San Diego, while Thorpe was included as part of a trade for ace right-hander Dylan Cease in March 2024.
Guerrero is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, avoiding arbitration by agreeing to a $28.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Jan. 9.
SNY's Andy Martino reported Wednesday that the New York Mets have spoken to Toronto regarding a potential Guerrero move, but he noted it's "far from certain" that the Blue Jays will make the four-time All-Star available on the trade market.
If they do, the asking price seems to be very high.
Guerrero is coming off an impressive 2024 season, racking up 30 home runs and 103 RBIs to go along with a .323/.396/.544 slash line. He's firmly established himself as one of the top power hitters in the majors, recording 136 homers over the past four years.
A long-term extension with the Blue Jays isn't out of the question, as Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reported Thursday that Toronto and Guerrero are "actively negotiating" a new contract.
Discussions are expected to "accelerate" before Guerrero's self-imposed extension deadline of Feb. 17, per Rosenthal and Sammon.
For the Blue Jays to consider trading the first baseman before the regular season, they'd need to receive a massive offer from an opposing front office.