Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. might be toying with his front office — and his fanbase — a little bit.
With the first Blue Jays players reporting to spring training in Dunedin, Florida on Thursday, Guerrero Jr. is of the crop expected to arrive at the team’s complex early next week, likely on Monday.
And while spring training arrivals are usually just a formality in the lengthy MLB season for most players, there’s an added intrigue about Guerrero Jr.’s arrival this year.
He’s unsigned past 2025 and has openly expressed his desire not to negotiate any long-term deal in Toronto past his arrival at spring training.
Though he’s often talked about wanting to stay in the city long-term, it will be far and away the biggest contract in Blue Jays history, and he is projected to be the biggest free agent to hit the market next winter if he forgoes an extension in Toronto.
Over the past two days, Guerrero Jr. appears to be teasing a countdown to Dunedin, posting a “4” and “3” to his Instagram story, suggesting the number of days left until he’s in Florida with his teammates.
More days left to negotiate? pic.twitter.com/Gc5vQjH4RQ
— Ben Ennis (@SportsnetBen) February 14, 2025
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins confirmed on Thursday that the team is actively trying to sign Guerrero Jr.
“I don’t want to get too far into the weeds on the negotiation, because anything I share there decreases the likelihood of us getting something done, which is our goal,” Atkins said yesterday, per MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “I can say that we have worked very hard to find a way if there is one.”
A four-time All-Star and 2021 MVP finalist in his time with the Jays, Guerrero Jr. is well on his way to replicate at least some of the accolades from his famous father’s Hall of Fame career.
“We work extremely hard on keeping Vlad here for a long time,” Atkins added. “That desire is strong, and we will continue to do that.”
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
