Insider shares bold predictions about Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Mets' Pete Alonso

As of Tuesday morning, it remained possible that both Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will become free agents this coming fall. 

Also on Tuesday, MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic offered a couple of bold predictions regarding the two big-name sluggers. 

"The Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. [will] agree to a 15-year, $577M contract on the eve of Opening Day — or soon after," Bowden forecasted. 

Guerrero revealed back in February that he and the Blue Jays didn't come close to an agreement before the start of spring training games. However, Blue Jays team president Mark Shapiro said on March 20 that he was "optimistic" the club will lock Guerrero down either before or after free agency opens following the 2025 season. 

Guerrero reportedly wants at least "$500M in present value" attached to his next contract. Depending on how much money is deferred, the Blue Jays matching Bowden's suggestion could be good enough for Guerrero to pass on hitting the open market. 

Such a development would impact how multiple clubs would approach next offseason. As recently as Monday, ESPN's Jorge Castillo mentioned that the Mets are expected to pursue Guerrero "to replace Alonso if [Guerrero] reaches free agency and Alonso indeed opts out" of the two-year, $54M deal he signed to return to the Amazins in February. 

Bowden believes the Mets and Alonso will both want to continue their relationship beyond the 2025 season. 

"Alonso opts out of his contract with the Mets after the season but quickly re-signs on a three-year, $100M deal with a mutual option for a fourth year," Bowden wrote for one of his 25 predictions for the 2025 campaign. 

Both the Mets and Alonso are clearly hoping his second potential walk year will go better than his first, in part because he'll be sharing a lineup with All-Star outfielder Juan Soto this season. Meanwhile, individuals such as SNY's Joe DeMayo have said that prospects such as Brett Baty and Ryan Clifford could allow the Mets to eventually replace Alonso from within the organization. 

With all of that said, Alonso is a beloved fan favorite who turned 30 years old this past December and who will probably enter next winter as the Mets' all-time leader in career home runs. 

Back in January, fans didn't react kindly to how Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and team owner Steve Cohen were handling negotiations with Alonso's camp at that time. 

Many of those same paying customers will want the Mets to re-sign Alonso if he produces the type of season that would make opting out of his contract the right business decision for the "Polar Bear."