In baseball, there’s nothing more dangerous than a superstar with something to prove. Just ask the Yankees how it turned out when they lowballed Aaron Judge in 2022. Instead of settling, Judge went on to smash 62 home runs, win MVP, and force New York to cough up a nine-year, $360 million contract. And now, it seems Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is preparing to do the same—only this time, it’s Toronto that might regret waiting too long.
According to MLBScoops, Guerrero Jr. has no interest in negotiating an extension with the Blue Jays. Instead, he’s focused on betting on himself and delivering a season that forces the front office to pay up or risk losing him altogether. The 25-year-old reportedly feels slighted by the team’s hesitation to commit to him long-term and is determined to prove his worth. With free agency looming after 2025, he’s setting his sights on a Judge-like payday.
“I want to prove them wrong,” Guerrero reportedly told a close source. “I know what I’m worth. If they don’t, I’ll show them.“ That kind of mindset should terrify opposing pitchers—and of course, give notice to Toronto’s front office.
We are told that this report is vehemently false. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is currently not interested in contract talks and is said to be ready to “prove the Blue Jays wrong” and wants to have a “Judge-like” contract year. We shall see. https://t.co/JNDhYjVyR8
— MLBScoops (@mlb_scoops) March 26, 2025
Vladimir Guerrero’s decision isn’t surprising. Despite being the face of the franchise, Toronto has hesitated to lock him up long-term. Negotiations have been sporadic at best, and while past discussions suggested a potential mega-deal, Guerrero now seems determined to let his bat dictate his value. From his perspective, he holds all the leverage. He’s still young, with two seasons of arbitration left before free agency. So, a monster 2025 campaign—especially one that mirrors his 2021 MVP-caliber season (.311 AVG, 48 HR, 1.002 OPS)—could set him up for a historic contract.
If Judge could secure a megadeal at the age of 30, what could stop a younger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? A $400 million+ contract wouldn’t be out of the question, right? The Blue Jays are now at a crossroads.
If Guerrero delivers an MVP-worthy season but refuses to negotiate, Toronto might face an impossible choice: Let him walk into free agency and get nothing but a compensatory draft pick. Or trade him before he reaches free agency, potentially mid-season. But neither option is ideal for a team trying to compete in the AL East. Losing Guerrero would be a gut punch for a fanbase that has seen minimal postseason success in recent years.
Stay tuned for more updates…
The post MLB Rumor: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Reportedly Gunning for Judge-Like Contract In Fiery Attempt to “Prove Blue Jays Wrong” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
