Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. claims his final asking price for contract extension was “much less” than Juan Soto

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays were unable to reach an agreement regarding a contract extension before the deadline.

Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. claims his final asking price for contract extension was “much less” than Juan Soto

Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Image via X/Imago)

Ahead of the 2025 season, Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. spoke about his contract extension negotiations. During this, the 4-time MLB All-Star claimed that his final asking price was “much less” than Juan Soto.

Soto shattered sporting records in this offseason as he landed the biggest contract in professional sports. The Dominican international penned down a huge 15-year $765 million deal with the New York Mets after becoming a free agent. While doing so, he passed up the 16-year $760 million offer of the New York Yankees which would have seen him return to the Bronx.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in the final year of his contract with the Blue Jays. He and the team were recently reported to be in talks about a contract extension. However, things did not materialize and the time to agree an extension was passed.

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Guerrero Jr. will now become the next big free agent in the next offseason. During an interview with Ernesto Jerez and Enrique Rojas of ESPN, the first baseman revealed that his asking price was below $600 million, which is way less than Soto’s current contract.

It’s much less than Soto. We’re talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less. … It was the same number of years (as Soto’s contract), but it didn’t reach ($600 million). The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn’t reach 600.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said as per ESPN

The 26-year-old later added that he knows the business. He claimed that he was looking for a contract near 14 years. He would have penned down even a 15, 20 year deal if the amount was right.

Guerrero Jr. has expressed his desire to stay as a Blue Jay star for a long time before. However, he is open to going to all 30 teams during the free agency, including the New York Yankees, a team he has had a huge grudge against in the past.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to keep on working for Blue Jays despite failed negotiations regarding contract extension

While the contract extension negotiations may have failed, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is ready to move on from this. In the interview with ESPN, he claimed that he would keep on working through the season for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Image via Imago)

The Canadian-Dominican international also mentioned that exchange in numbers regarding salaries and all lasted an entire day during the deadline. However, the parties were just not able to reach a conclusive figure.

There was an exchange. The meetings lasted until the last day of the deadline but they couldn’t reach an agreement on the numbers. But as I’ve always said, just because we couldn’t reach an agreement, I’m not going to change the way I work. I have to keep working.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said as per ESPN

In the Spring Training, Guerrero Jr. is having a good time at the plate. In his 20 at-bats, he has 8 hits with 1 home run and 4 RBI. He is also batting with a high average of .400. This is something that he and the Blue Jays will be looking to continue as they aim to push for the World Series title in the 2025 season.