With trade deadline over, it's time for the Blue Jays to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

With the trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, and the Blue Jays dealing away several players, it is time for this team to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The Blue Jays came into 2024 hoping, and expecting, to compete in the American League. A sluggish start and all around mediocre play killed any dreams of that, though, and the team officially waved the white flag at the trade deadline, trading away eight players in total and acquiring fourteen. Those dealt away included Justin Turner, Danny Jansen, Yusei KIkuchi, Yimi Garcia, Nate Pearson, Trevor Richards, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Kevin Kiermaier.

With this season a write-off, and all eyes on 2025 and beyond, this team needs to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He has been one of the lone bright spots for this Toronto team this season, as it seems as though the 2021 AL MVP finalist has returned to his 2021 ways, putting up monster numbers thus far this year.

The 25-year-old is slashing an impressive .317/.388/.5.39 and has an OPS of .926 to go along with 22 home runs and 72 RBI this season. He is making $19.9M this season and has one year left on his current deal. If no deal is reached before the end of next season, he will become a free agent.

Guerrero has been incredibly vocal about his desire to stay with the Blue Jays, saying several times that he would like to stay with Toronto for the entirety of his career. Bo Bichette, on the contrary, has voiced no desire to stay with the Blue Jays long term, with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith saying just last week that an extension with Bichette is "unlikely".

After a couple years of questioning whether Guerrero was worthy of a big-time contract, the conversation has very quickly shifted to years and dollars. I'm not sure many fans would have any issue with a 10-year, $350M deal.