The Toronto Blue Jays used a host of second generation players to return to relevance. The hard part is going to involve keeping them around.
This may not be an issue for one player. According to Hector Gomez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. not only said that he enjoys being a part of the Blue Jays organization and wants to stay for the long term, but that he hopes something can be done during the offseason to make that happen.
Toronto Blue Jays could lock in key part of core soon
In theory, the Blue Jays have plenty of time before they need to worry about an extension. Guerrero will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason and still has three years to go before free agency. Neither side needs to be in any rush to sign a longer term deal.
However, it may be prudent for the Blue Jays to lock Guerrero in as soon as possible. He has taken that step forward as a superstar since the beginning of the 2021 season. A two time All Star and the 2021 AL MVP runner-up, he has posted a stellar 151 OPS+ with 76 homers and 62 doubles in his last 1323 plate appearances.
Guerrero has also worked himself into being a useful option at first. While he may never be a future Gold Glove winner, he has saved six runs over the past two seasons, ending the speculation that he will be forced into the designated hitter role sooner than later. It is still likely to happen down the line, but there is no reason for him to hang up the glove just yet.
At just 23 years old, Guerrero is likely to keep getting better. He could end up following in his father’s footsteps as a perennial All Star and MVP candidate. If his career continues as the Blue Jays hope, he could follow his father into Cooperstown. It is understandable as to why Toronto would want to lock him in for the long term.
There is also logic behind Guerrero wanting to sign a long term deal this offseason. He would not only lock in financial security going forward, but would be able to stay on a team that should contend for the foreseeable future. There are plenty of reasons for both sides to want to make a long term deal come together.
The Toronto Blue Jays could lock in a key piece of their core in the near future. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hoping for an extension this offseason.