What If Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Does Become Available Via Trade?

Prior to the Kyle Tucker acquisition, Cubs fans were circling all-star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as a potential trade target this offseason. Now with Tucker in the fold, daydreaming about Guerrero has been replaced with coming up with trades for starting pitchers, but if you’re still holding onto hope that the right-handed slugger could be available there is an update on his extension talks with the Blue Jays.

Guerrero, 25, recently had an interview with Abriendo Sports and revealed that he has had contract extension talks with Toronto this offseason. Two big things came from these discussions. First, Guerrero said the Blue Jays’ offer was way below what he would consider signing for.

Via MLBTR.

Guerrero reiterated that he has interest in staying in Toronto, and is “ready to go” in signing an extension if the Jays meet his asking price.  However, “what they offered me is not even close to what I’m looking for,” Guerrero said, noting that Toronto’s most recent offer was worth around $340 million.

Second, the first baseman has informed the Blue Jays that they have until the beginning of spring training to negotiate an extension. If a deal is not agreed to by then, Guerrero said he’s ending the talks. Of course, if the two sides are close, but a contract hasn’t been signed, it’s doubtful that he would completely walk away from the table.

However, I’m sure teams wanting to add another star bat to their team will be monitoring these talks between Guerrero and the Blue Jays. There’s a decent chance that if Toronto feels they won’t be able to retain Guerrero, then they’ll finally be open to trading him away. The slugger will become a free agent following the 2025 season and although he may only be a first baseman, at 26-years-old next offseason Guerrero would be in line for a huge contract if he does indeed hit free agency.

Would it make sense for the Cubs to engage in trade talks if Guerrero does become available? It would be a decent-sized haul for the Blue Jays, but you would also expect the cost to be below that of the Juan Soto trade from last offseason between the Yankees and Padres.

Earlier in the offseason, an MLB Network analyst suggested a trade proposal between the Cubs and Blue Jays that would send Guerrero to Chicago. Again, things look completely different now with the addition of Tucker and the trade of Cody Bellinger. Yet, the Cubs are still looking for a difference-maker in the starting rotation and in Anthony Castrovince’s trade idea, Toronto would also send one of their veteran starters along with Guerrero.

Would it make sense for the Cubs to add in Seiya Suzuki in a trade along with top prospects for Guerrero? Keep in mind that he will be a free agent following the 2025 season and the focus now seems to be on retaining Tucker beyond next season.

But how about having two cracks at locking in a longterm star if the Cubs somehow involve themselves in a Guerrero trade? OK, now I’m getting way too ahead of myself. Let’s see what his status is when spring training arrives in February.