News broke on February 18 that superstar slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did not agree to a contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays before spring training began.
Per a February 18 article from Danny Abriano of SNY, "When Guerrero was asked Tuesday morning by reporters whether he and the Jays came close to a deal, his succinct reply was 'no.'
"'They had their numbers, I had my numbers,'" Guerrero is quoted saying. "'I’m here. We didn’t get an agreement. Now, they’re going to have to compete with 29 other teams.'"
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tells reporters in Dunedin, Fla. that he did not agree to an extension with the Blue Jays.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) February 18, 2025
"They had their numbers, I had my numbers."
Instead, he's headed for free agency after the season at age 26.
Since Guerrero Jr. has asserted that he won't entertain contract negotiations during the season, the two sides failing to strike a deal means that one of baseball's best young stars will become a free agent next offseason.
The New York Mets were reported to have checked in on Guerrero last month when it seemed that their pursuit of Pete Alonso had gone sour.
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