MLB insider proposed a wild, but realistic, Blue Jays-Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension

During the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays have been working hard to create a sustainable winning formula. One of the keys to success in making that happen involves securing their face of the franchise in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term extension. After all, Guerrero has been the heart and soul of the Blue Jays club for much of the past few seasons. If Toronto intends to build a successful product going forward, Vladdy will need to be a big part of it.

Currently, it has been reported that the Blue Jays and Guerrero are still quite a ways apart in terms of the numbers being discussed. However, MLB insider Jim Bowden recently came up with what appears to be an outrageous, yet realistic number (subscription required) at the same time that could get it done for Toronto and their 25-year-old superstar. In the piece, Bowden suggested that a 12-year, $477 million extension is what it should take to make both sides happy.

MLB insider suggests outrageous, but realistic, Blue Jays-Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension

So with those numbers, the Jays would likely be handing out the biggest contract deal in the history of the franchise, but it might be what will be needed to keep Guerrero Jr. a Blue Jay for life. In a way, that sounds like a fair deal, because the speculated $340 million offer that the Jays apparently proposed earlier was way undervaluing Guerrero’s potential going into his prime years.

At the same time, he may come close, but never quite reach the offensive numbers that a Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani would put up. Given that, Guerrero shouldn’t really be expecting to get $700+ million total or $50 million AAV per season.

Therefore, the 12-year deal seems just about right. The contract would take Guerrero right until after his age 37 season, so it cleverly avoids hitting the big 4-0 that most other massive contracts that have been handed out in recent years have bled into. In addition, at a yearly salary close to $40 million AAV per season, it puts him among the same territory as Aaron Judge, Mike Trout and Carlos Correa, which makes the amount quite reasonable.

Ever since José Bautista left town following the 2017 MLB season, Blue Jays fans didn't have a big-time hero to root for and rally behind until Guerrero arrived on the scene. Now that Vladdy is in the hearts of many of their faithful followers, the Jays need to make sure it stays that way by finally giving him the long-term extension that he deserves.

As Bowden mentioned, Guerrero has set the deadline for talks for February 17. As a result, Toronto has their work cut out for them to get it done as soon as possible. That way, it would become a big win for the Jays, their fanbase and the organization as a whole for now and the future.

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