down. With the top 2025 free agents—such as the Mets’ Pete Alonso and the Red Sox’s Alex Bregman—having secured their contracts, speculation has already shifted to 2026. The biggest name expected to hit the market that year is Toronto Blue Jays’ 26-year-old, four-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero’s team control with Toronto expires after the 2025 season. Entering the year, he secured a one-year, $28.5 million deal to avoid arbitration. Now, he’s eyeing a much bigger payday.
Guerrero Jr. Seeks a Mega Deal—But Not Soto-Level
In a recent ESPN interview, Guerrero Jr.—the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero—acknowledged that he is looking for a contract nearing $600 million over 14 to 15 years. However, he emphasized that his demands fall significantly short of Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million, 15-year deal with the Mets.
“It’s much less than Soto,” Guerrero stated in early March. “We’re talking about over a hundred million less. The last offer we made didn’t even reach 600 (million).”
The slugger, who led the AL with 48 home runs in 2021, even mentioned he’d love a 20-year contract but was open to a slightly shorter term. However, despite discussions, Toronto’s offers weren’t sufficient to prevent him from testing free agency after 2025. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Guerrero will not negotiate during the season, making his path to free agency seem inevitable.
Potential Landing Spots for Guerrero Jr.
As speculation grows, several teams have emerged as frontrunners for the power-hitting first baseman, who has smashed 136 homers over the last four seasons. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that early favorites include the Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees, with Boston seemingly at the top of Guerrero’s wishlist.
“It’s no secret that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has told friends he’d love to play for the Boston Red Sox if he reaches free agency,” USA Today’s Bob Night
engale noted.