Is Toronto’s gamble with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a massive mistake? | Baseball Bar-B-Cast

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The Toronto Blue Jays are skating on thin ice by failing to lock down Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term contract, a move that’s raising eyebrows not just in Canada, but across the MLB landscape. Guerrero, the heart and soul of Toronto’s lineup, is poised to hit free agency next winter, causing an alarming drumbeat of speculation.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Schusterman, hosts of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, emphasize the potential fallout of Toronto’s inaction. “It’s a failure of the highest order,” Mintz said, suggesting the Blue Jays may have postponed these talks for too long, allowing Vladimir’s value to rise exponentially. Toronto not only risks losing a top talent, but it might soon face the ire of fans and critics alike if Guerrero leaves the nest.

By now, the Blue Jays should have learned the high stakes involved in contract negotiations with elite players. Schusterman argues that Toronto’s management underestimated how high Guerrero’s stock would rise, especially compared to major contracts like Juan Soto’s. The hosts discuss how Guerrero, still in his prime, holds enormous market value — his age and stellar performance, particularly during his remarkable 2021 season, make him highly sought after.

“If Guerrero leaves in free agency […] it is a generational mistake for this organization,” Mintz said. For a club that perennially struggles to attract outside free agents, failing to secure homegrown talent is a colossal blunder. Considering his Canadian nationality and the fact that Guerrero has repeatedly expressed affection for the city and the fans, this saga feels like a Shakespearean tragedy for Jays supporters.

Consequences for Toronto and beyond

Let’s face it: No front office wants to be remembered for letting a franchise player slip through its fingers. Yet, that’s the exact reputational risk the Blue Jays are flirting with. Schusterman suggests possible teams that could come knocking — big spenders like the Yankees, Mets, and even the Red Sox. The looming prospect of Vlad Jr. joining a division rival should be enough to make any Jays executive sweat.

The ripple effects extend through the league. If Toronto doesn’t make the playoffs, which they might not given their roster structure, they’ll face a rebuilding scenario. The prospect of losing Guerrero would cast a long shadow over the franchise for years to come — perhaps even longer than the shadow left by previous exits of Canadian baseball legends.

Is it all doom and gloom for the Blue Jays? While Mintz and Schusterman paint a bleak picture, not all hope is lost. Extensions could still be hammered out, although unlikely given the player’s current stance and the extravagance of recent market deals. The optimist in any Toronto fan has to cling to the fragile thread — the belief that mid-season success or another sweet offer could change the narrative.

Nonetheless, as Schusterman said, “If they think they can woo someone else like Soto or Ohtani down the line, they’re sorely mistaken.” Toronto’s fate hangs in the balance, serving as a stark reminder that the clock is always ticking faster than you think in the major leagues.

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