Feb 20, 2025; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) looks on during spring training at Cecil B. Englebert Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Yankees tease fuels speculation amid failed Blue Jays extension talks

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. fuels Yankees rumors with IG like.

Feb 20, 2025; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) looks on during spring training at Cecil B. Englebert Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. just added fuel to the fire. The Toronto Blue Jays star liked an edited Instagram post of himself wearing a New York Yankees jersey.

That wouldn’t mean much on its own—except Guerrero and the Blue Jays failed to reach an extension before his spring training deadline. And now, one of baseball’s most talented hitters is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season.

Vladdy Jr. liked a post of him in a Yankees uniform 👀

(h/t letsgoyanks_/IG) pic.twitter.com/iVT7fiwFC2
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) February 20, 2025

For someone who once said he would “never sign with the Yankees, not even dead”, this sudden shift is hard to ignore. Guerrero softened his stance last year, saying he would “do his job” regardless of the team, even if that team was the Yankees.

So what happens next? Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he’s “very disappointed” they couldn’t close the deal but insisted “the motivation is still there”. Guerrero himself said he “won’t close the door if it’s a realistic offer”. But with no agreement, the clock is ticking. The Blue Jays need to decide—pay up or prepare to lose him.

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Toronto Blue Jays risk losing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for nothing

Toronto can’t afford to drag this out. If the Blue Jays don’t extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. soon, they’ll be forced to trade him before the July 31 deadline or risk losing him for nothing in free agency.

Guerrero has made his priorities clear. He wants to play for a winning team.

“Winning team. That’s what I’ll be looking for in free agency,” Guerrero told Keegan Matheson. “As you guys know, my dad played a lot of years. He never won a World Series. My personal goal is to win a World Series and give the ring to my dad. That’s all I’m looking for.”

Day 106 of posting Vladimir Guerrero Jr until the Blue Jays sign him to an extension pic.twitter.com/BzdHtSRHx7
— Hubble (@Hxbble) February 17, 2025

That statement alone makes the Blue Jays’ situation even more complicated. They haven’t been a serious World Series contender during Guerrero’s time in Toronto. If they don’t make a deep postseason run in 2025, convincing him to stay gets even harder.

Atkins insists the Blue Jays’ offers would have “made him one of the highest-paid players in the game,” but the fact remains—there is no deal.

Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets are early favorites for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The moment Vladimir Guerrero Jr. becomes available, expect a bidding war.

Jon Heyman (New York Post) listed the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets as early favorites to land Guerrero:

(Very) early favorites to land Vlad Jr. this winter: 1. Red Sox 2. Mets (assuming Pete opts out) 3. Yankees, Heyman wrote on X.

The Yankees, in particular, make too much sense. Paul Goldschmidt’s contract expires after this season, leaving an opening at first base. The Yankees missed out on Juan Soto in free agency and could be looking for their next star bat. They have the money, the roster space, and the championship pedigree Guerrero wants.

For now, Guerrero is still a Toronto Blue Jay. But if Toronto doesn’t act fast, he might be wearing pinstripes before long.

Image: Imagn Images

New York Yankees

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Natasha Bose

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