ESPN analysts have conflicting takes on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s future with Blue Jays

Should he stay or should he go? Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is probably feeling just as conflicted as Mick Jones and The Clash were in their hit song from ‘81. If he goes, there will be trouble (for the Blue Jays front office), and if he stays, it will be double…or maybe more. Vladdy is scheduled to make $28.5 million this season, and his career earnings currently total $47 million (according to Spotrac), so it’s safe to say if the Blue Jays want him long-term, they’ll need to go uncomfortably beyond that figure.

The Blue Jays and Guerrero came to an agreement to avoid arbitration earlier this year, but at this point, nobody knows what the future holds for Guerrero, and even different analysts on the same network seem to have mixed opinions on what will happen for the Blue Jays and their star first baseman. ESPN baseball insiders Paul Hembekides and Kiley McDaniel both looked into their respective crystal balls and came up with conflicting answers regarding Guerrero's fate.

ESPN analysts have conflicting takes on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s future with Blue Jays

Hembekides thinks the Blue Jays will make Guerrero a big offer, which he will turn down so he can test free agency. That predicted offer will (supposedly) come in just before Vladdy’s self-imposed deadline on Feb. 18 (the day of Toronto’s first full workout), and will be a $400 million extension. Hembekides didn't provide a length for the terms of the deal he envisions, but, regardless, noted that it will be turned down by Vladdy.

His co-worker McDaniel took the alternate route, speculating that the Blue Jays and Guerrero are destined to come together and commit to each other long-term before spring training rolls around. To be fair, that's also what Hector Gómez indicated on Thursday night. McDaniel believes that locking up Guerrero Jr. is the move they must make, as the front office is under pressure after coming up short in their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Roki Sasaki. Max Scherzer and Anthony Santander haven't changed that ... yet.

McDaniel added that the starting point for a deal should reflect what Toronto’s AL East rivals did just a few years ago with one of their franchise cornerstones. The Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers came to terms on a 10-year, $313.5 million extension two years back. McDaniels noted that if the Blue Jays can adjust for inflation and a few other quality factors, then they should be able to present a comparable deal that is both fair and easy to stomach for their long-term salary commitments. Otherwise, the Blue Jays risk another team being able to top their deal next offseason.

Whatever path Guerrero decides, he is likely in for a huge pay day, and after the Blue Jays were very publicly chasing those big names above, it would not be a good look for them to offer Guerrero a below-market deal.