Amidst a turbulent season for the Toronto Blue Jays, rumors had been swirling with regards to the potential movement of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a trade by the deadline to help the team for the future.
Well, it appears as though those rumors may have some substance now, as there has since been a confirmed party that is indeed interested in obtaining the services of the Jays’ superstar. According to MLB Insider Bob Nightengale, the Chicago Cubs have privately discussed the possibility of acquiring Guerrero by the trade deadline to bolster their lineup.
Cubs discussing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. trade
With the Cubs falling just short in making the playoffs last season, they have managed to keep themselves right in the thick of things once again this year as they currently sit just one game out of the third and final wild card playoff spot in the NL. Despite being led already by the likes of Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson and Christopher Morel, the potential addition of Guerrero would significantly bolster the team’s hitting potential, as they currently rank just 27th in the league in terms of batting average.
As for Guerrero, he has drastically turned his game around as of late after a miserable start to the 2024 season. In his past 30 games, he has hit a stellar .365 with a .973 OPS, along with 18 runs scored, 6 doubles, 4 home runs, 19 RBI, 18 walks and just 16 strikeouts. In doing so, he has raised his season’s average back to more his normal standards at .292, together with an .807 OPS and 137 OPS+. As a result, Guerrero has pushed his stock way back up again and should present the Jays with a huge haul in the return package that they would receive in a trade for the young 25-year-old.
Nevertheless, the Jays’ main focus should be solely on getting the team back on track for now and the future. If the process necessitates the movement of one of their beloved superstars, then that plan may have already been initiated with the preliminary interest expressed by Chicago.