Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. addresses if Mets' Juan Soto impacted free-agency decision

Shortly after it became known in February that Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. plans to reach free agency after the 2025 MLB season concludes, he revealed that he and the Blue Jays never came particularly close to an agreement before the start of spring training games. 

During a recent chat with ESPN, Guerrero hit back at claims suggesting the 15-year, $765M contract that All-Star outfielder Juan Soto received from the New York Mets this past offseason impacted the 25-year-old's negotiations with the Blue Jays. 

"It's much less than Soto," Guerrero said about the final offer his camp presented to the Blue Jays. "We're talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less. ... It was the same number of years [as Soto's contract], but it didn't reach [$600M]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn't reach [$600M]." 

Before the Mets signed fan-favorite slugger Pete Alonso to a two-year, $54M deal that included an opt-out after this season, MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY reported that the Amazins had "checking in" conversations with the Blue Jays about Guerrero's availability. Some within the MLB community view big-spending Mets owner Steve Cohen as the early favorite to win the Guerrero's signature this coming fall. 

"I know the business," Guerrero continued during the ESPN chat. "I lowered the salary demands a bit, but I also lowered the number of years. ... I'm looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way."

Back on Feb. 18, ESPN's Jeff Passan shared that "big-market suitors are expected to lavish [Guerrero] with some of the largest contract offers in baseball history" shortly after the World Series wraps up. Guerrero suggested he will try to follow in the footsteps of Soto and New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, both of whom recently enjoyed tremendous walk years before they put pen to paper on monster deals. 

"As I've always said," Guerrero added, "just because we couldn't reach an agreement, I'm not going to change the way I work. I have to keep working." 

Most small-market clubs likely are already priced out regarding the upcoming Guerrero sweepstakes, and he could become even more expensive if he produces the best offensive regular-season numbers of his career. One wonders if Guerrero's representatives will look to land a deal that includes $600M in total money with some cash deferred come November.