Rumors suggest obvious outcome in free agency for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

In a way, it always seemed like the relationship between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays was going to end in divorce.

While that was essentially confirmed this spring when Guerrero and the team failed to reach an extension before his self-imposed deadline, the Blue Jays' front office always seemed to be a tick behind the trends when it came to Guerrero.

There was never any reporting about Guerrero and the Blue Jays having serious extension talks at any early points in his career (even as he continued to set salary records through arbitration), which led to this spring's extension talks coming in the shadow of the $765 million deal that Juan Soto signed with the Mets in the offseason.

But based on new reporting, it seems like Soto’s contract wasn’t a huge factor in the lack of an extension. And, if so, that could end up spelling doom for Toronto’s front office.

Vladimir Guerrero’s extension asking price was much less than initially believed 

In an interview with ESPN's Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez last week, Guerrero said that the contract that he's seeking is less than the 15-year, $765 million contract that Juan Soto signed with the Mets in the offseason. Specifically, he said it was “more than $100 million less” than what Soto asked for. 

"It's much less than Soto. We're talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less," Guerrero told Rojas and Jerez. "It was the same number of years [as Soto's contract], but it didn't reach [$600 million]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn't reach 600."

We got even more insight on those talks on Tuesday when The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that Guerrero wanted a contract worth $500 million in present-day value.

Then, earlier today, ESPN's Buster Olney reported that Guerrero and the Blue Jays were about $50 million apart when talks broke down earlier this spring.

Dizzy yet?

And, if that is the case, Guerrero's lack of an extension is organization malpractice. 

Not only is Guerrero a generational talent entering his prime, but he’s also a Canadian citizen who wants to stay in Toronto. 

Is he worth $760 million? No.

Is he worth more than the $500 million in today's MLB? Yes.

The price of a superstar is going up, and Guerrero is as close to a superstar as we have in today's game. And if that's not enough, he's also a homegrown superstar.

And even if the hangup isn't as cut and dry as $50 million, this storyline is going to follow the Blue Jays all season, as MLB.com's Keegan Matheston pointed out.

Regardless of what happens this year, Guerrero’s extension (or lack thereof) will likely be the defining moment for the organizational trip of general manager Ross Atkin, president Mark Shapiro and manager John Schneider. 

Guerrero leaving could be the last straw for some Blue Jays fans (if they haven’t gotten there already). 

The big factor in this is Toronto’s previous free agent pursuits. Even though the Blue Jays didn’t end up getting Soto or Shohei Ohtani, they were a finalist for both of them, which strings on multiple levels.

Not only did it add onto the notion that the Blue Jays are always the bridesmaid instead of the bride, it also showed that they were willing to come close to Soto and Ohtani’s asking price. 

While both Ohtani and Soto both benefited from the Mets and Dodgers raising their contract offer at the last minute, the Blue Jays wouldn’t have lasted as long as they did in either sweepstakes if they weren’t able to clear the $600 million plateau. 

And, based off Guerrero’s comments, that would be more than enough money to get a deal done with the slugging first baseman. 

The lack of an extension also impacts the conversation about this year's iteration of the Blue Jays. Every game, move and update with be viewed through the lens of how it impacts Guerrero's future.

If the Blue Jays get off to a hot start, then expect lots of conversations around how Toronto's front office can maximize Guerrero's last run with the Blue Jays.

And if they get off a slow start? Well then it's time to fire up the trade machine to what Toronto could get in return for Guerrero.

It didn't have to be like this, but now Toronto's front office has backed itself into a corner since the price is rising for a superstar.

It was clear last year when Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million contract, and it became even more clear this offseason when Soto signed his contract.

And it'll likely become clear once Guerrero signs his next contract — regardless of the team.