Official Blue Jays 2025 Spring Training Thread

[Ranger One]

I like how after that rant, you accuse others of being unhinged.

Sorry, the Twittards really got to me. Reading those posts made my blood boil lol. This fanbase is actually screaming to give him a blank check. It's mind boggling. I'm 100% behind management here despite how much I hate Shapiro and Atkins. Vlad has proven absolutely nothing to warrant more than $400 million. One great season in 6 years does not put you even in the same Stratosphere as guys like Soto or Ohtani. He's a top 30 player who wants to be paid like a top 3 player. Good riddance.

I can understand that when you have an anemic lineup, the only guy who can consistently put up 280/30/100 is now going to hit the open market and we're losing him for nothing. Just sign a cheque and keep him here.

Yeah.. No. I'm not paying a perennial under achiever with a lousy attitude $500 million plus. He can go "bet on himself" in free agency. That will be a rude awakening for him if he doesn't have another MVP type season this year. No one is paying $500+ million for 280/30/100 with bad defense and bad base running and no work ethic.

[Duffman100]

Sorry, the Twittards really got to me. Reading those posts made my blood boil lol. This fanbase is actually screaming to give him a blank check. It's mind boggling. I'm 100% behind management here despite how much I hate Shapiro and Atkins. Vlad has proven absolutely nothing to warrant more than $400 million. One great season in 6 years does not put you even in the same Stratosphere as guys like Soto or Ohtani. He's a top 30 player who wants to be paid like a top 3 player. Good riddance.

I can understand that when you have an anemic lineup, the only guy who can consistently put up 280/30/100 is now going to hit the open market and we're losing him for nothing. Just sign a cheque and keep him here.

Yeah.. No. I'm not paying a perennial under achiever with a lousy attitude $500 million plus. He can go "bet on himself" in free agency. That will be a rude awakening for him if he doesn't have another MVP type season this year. No one is paying $500+ million for 280/30/100 with bad defense and bad base running and no work ethic.

Hey I'm not saying I agree with it. But I can sort of understand it.

Either way, he's one of my fantasy keepers. So I'm hoping this doesn't impact his fantasy stats. Important stuff.

[Randle McMurphy]

I just dont get it. They wanted Soto and Ohtani, but not Vladdy for a couple hundred million less? And didn’t even come close at the final hour… once again they are failing to adapt to the market.ffs

Soto and Ohtani are two of the best players in baseball history.

Vlad has been only the 40th most valuable player in MLB since he entered the league.

Bit of a difference there and it explains everything about why this contract didn't happen. Vlad is the one who could be in for a very rude awakening in free agency next fall, particularly if he doesn't repeat a good season (something that again he's never done in MLB).

Exactly! And it's not several hundred million less. From everything I'm reading his ask was in the 500-600 million range. Absolutely ridiculous. The initial offer from years ago was $340 million, which I assume Shapiro increased to 400-420 million during these negotiations, and today Vlad said himself that management's offer wasn't even close. Which stands to reason he was asking for at least 500+

Everything we've seen suggests that the Soto deal raised his demands. I think as soon as that deal was signed this offseason, there was next to no chance the Jays were going to come to terms with him. He and his agent are simply comparing him to players far superior to him and the Jays don't value him on that level (nor should they).

If Vlad was that kind of superstar level player, there's not a doubt in my mind he'd have been signed by now. The Jays have shown a willingness to spend where it is warranted. He's just not that guy.

[Randle McMurphy]

I can understand that when you have an anemic lineup, the only guy who can consistently put up 280/30/100 is now going to hit the open market and we're losing him for nothing. Just sign a cheque and keep him here.

Yeah.. No. I'm not paying a perennial under achiever with a lousy attitude $500 million plus. He can go "bet on himself" in free agency. That will be a rude awakening for him if he doesn't have another MVP type season this year. No one is paying $500+ million for 280/30/100 with bad defense and bad base running and no work ethic.

Hey I'm not saying I agree with it. But I can sort of understand it.

Either way, he's one of my fantasy keepers. So I'm hoping this doesn't impact his fantasy stats. Important stuff.

Should incentivize him to play well. If he's ever going to be more motivated than ever before in his career, this year is the time.

[Ranger One]

Yeah.. No. I'm not paying a perennial under achiever with a lousy attitude $500 million plus. He can go "bet on himself" in free agency. That will be a rude awakening for him if he doesn't have another MVP type season this year. No one is paying $500+ million for 280/30/100 with bad defense and bad base running and no work ethic.

Hey I'm not saying I agree with it. But I can sort of understand it.

Either way, he's one of my fantasy keepers. So I'm hoping this doesn't impact his fantasy stats. Important stuff.

Should incentivize him to play well. If he's ever going to be more motivated than ever before in his career, this year is the time.

We should keep track of how many times Buck scolds him for not running to 1st base this year lmao. Good indicator of whether or not he's "engaged". And lord have mercy on his soul if he starts this year 0 for 20 or something or is hitting barely above the Mendoza line for the first 2 months like he did last year. Fans and media will rip him to pieces.

[The Servant]

Sorry, the Twittards really got to me. Reading those posts made my blood boil lol. This fanbase is actually screaming to give him a blank check. It's mind boggling. I'm 100% behind management here despite how much I hate Shapiro and Atkins. Vlad has proven absolutely nothing to warrant more than $400 million. One great season in 6 years does not put you even in the same Stratosphere as guys like Soto or Ohtani. He's a top 30 player who wants to be paid like a top 3 player. Good riddance.

I can understand that when you have an anemic lineup, the only guy who can consistently put up 280/30/100 is now going to hit the open market and we're losing him for nothing. Just sign a cheque and keep him here.

Yeah.. No. I'm not paying a perennial under achiever with a lousy attitude $500 million plus. He can go "bet on himself" in free agency. That will be a rude awakening for him if he doesn't have another MVP type season this year. No one is paying $500+ million for 280/30/100 with bad defense and bad base running and no work ethic.

You're right, and with all the success the Jays had getting similarly quality players this off season and in seasons past there is no reason Toronto should do it!

Everyone wants to play in Canada over Boston, NY, etc. etc. We in no way have to pay a premium up here for talent.

[polo007]

Watch on YouTube

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Explains Why No Deal Was Reached With Blue Jays

SPORTSNET

Watch the full media availability by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. the morning after he was not able to reach a contract extension with the Blue Jays, after Monday night's self-imposed deadline.

[Randle McMurphy]

Read on Twitter

If this is what Vlad was asking for, that's absolutely outrageous.

[polo007]

MLB Insider: Blue Jays should get used to life without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - FanSided

Blue Jays didn't do enough to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

We don’t know what the numbers of the Blue Jays’ offers were. We don’t know what Guerrero’s asking price was. But what we do know is that after watching Juan Soto sign for $765 million in free agency this offseason, Guerrero Jr. surely saw and realized he will get a massive payday if he waits. And now, instead of just the Blue Jays bidding for his services, he’ll have 29 other potential suitors as well.

What will Guerrero Jr. command in free agency? He won’t touch Soto’s $765 million. But he’d perhaps be the most accomplished player to reach free agency not named Soto or Shohei Ohtani. He will be 26 as a free agent, and it’s why his eventual contract has a real chance of eclipsing $500 million.

What will his market look like? The Boston Red Sox have been heavily linked to the superstar slugger, and Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Guerrero Jr. has told friends that he’d be open to playing in Boston. The New York Yankees, fresh after losing Soto and having a long-term need at first base, will surely place a phone call. The New York Mets cannot be ruled out either, especially with Pete Alonso looming as an obvious candidate to opt-out after the 2025 season.

An open door in Toronto won't mean much for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

But yes, while Guerrero Jr. is set to become a free agent after this season, the door remains open for him to return to Toronto. The team refused to talk specifics about the negotiations, but Atkins told reporters that they extended a record-setting offer for the Blue Jays that would have also made Guerrero Jr. “one of the highest paid players” in baseball.

If the Blue Jays are out of the postseason race come the trade deadline, then the organization will have a franchise-altering decision to make: trade Guerrero Jr. and recoup some value or keep Guerrero Jr. and keep the slim possibility of him re-signing in Toronto alive.

They’ve long resisted the idea of trading Guerrero Jr., especially at last year's trade deadline when his value was immense. So it stands to believe that a trade would be unlikely and they’d attempt to hold onto him.

But it never had to reach this point. The Blue Jays could have been far more aggressive in the past in keeping Guerrero Jr. and signed him to what would have turned out to be a very team-friendly contract. Instead, it feels like Guerrero Jr. is headed into what very well could be his last season in Toronto.

The chase for one of the most coveted free agents in baseball history is under way.

[Mehar]

Read on Twitter

If this is what Vlad was asking for, that's absolutely outrageous.

What was his asking price? I read different numbers on Twitter. Post the tweet also.

[Randle McMurphy]

Read on Twitter

If this is what Vlad was asking for, that's absolutely outrageous.

What was his asking price? I read different numbers on Twitter. Post the tweet also.

David Ortiz on Vladdy Jr.'s extension:
"He deserves a 13-year, $585 million contract. Vladdy Jr. is an elite offensive player, he's young and with Gold Glove-caliber defense", per
@z101digital
.

That's a highly specific number for Ortiz to throw out there, which suggests that is actually the number.

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

If this is what Vlad was asking for, that's absolutely outrageous.

What was his asking price? I read different numbers on Twitter. Post the tweet also.

David Ortiz on Vladdy Jr.'s extension:
"He deserves a 13-year, $585 million contract. Vladdy Jr. is an elite offensive player, he's young and with Gold Glove-caliber defense", per
@z101digital
.

That's a highly specific number for Ortiz to throw out there, which suggests that is actually the number.

anything north of $400M is outrageous. Too much emotional attachment to the player and people have blinders on.

Got no issue with FO standing a hard line here but now they have to figure out the next step with trading. Also we got no one on the come up, which would ease the loss - that's what good mlb clubs do.. replenish with home grown guys when current guys get too expensive / not worth the money

[Ranger One]

Read on Twitter

If this is what Vlad was asking for, that's absolutely outrageous.

What was his asking price? I read different numbers on Twitter. Post the tweet also.

David Ortiz on Vladdy Jr.'s extension:
"He deserves a 13-year, $585 million contract. Vladdy Jr. is an elite offensive player, he's young and with Gold Glove-caliber defense", per
@z101digital
.

That's a highly specific number for Ortiz to throw out there, which suggests that is actually the number.

No wonder he said that the Blue Jays were not even close during negotiations lmao! Im convinced they were not willing to go above $400 mill, and i dont blame them. Especially given the position he plays and the fact hes had only one superstar season in his career which has proven to be an outlier not the norm. So yeah...GOOOOD Riddance! At least i wont have to watch his constant pouting and non existent effort on the base paths.

For context, $585 million would make him the 3rd highest paid player in ALL OF BASEBALL only behind Soto and Ohtani. Is Vlad a top 3 player in baseball? And he also plays the least imactfull fielding position as well. So essentially we'd be paying just short of $600 million for a DH in 3-4 years.

[Quattro]

The only logical move now is trading both of them. Which is why they'll hold onto both of them and lose them both for nothing.

[Mehar]

What was his asking price? I read different numbers on Twitter. Post the tweet also.

David Ortiz on Vladdy Jr.'s extension:
"He deserves a 13-year, $585 million contract. Vladdy Jr. is an elite offensive player, he's young and with Gold Glove-caliber defense", per
@z101digital
.

That's a highly specific number for Ortiz to throw out there, which suggests that is actually the number.

anything north of $400M is outrageous. Too much emotional attachment to the player and people have blinders on.

Got no issue with FO standing a hard line here but now they have to figure out the next step with trading. Also we got no one on the come up, which would ease the loss - that's what good mlb clubs do.. replenish with home grown guys when current guys get too expensive / not worth the money

585 million over 13 years is ridiculous. I am no fan of Atkins or Shapiro, and thought they should have been fired two years ago. But I am glad they did not buckle to pressure and give Vlad a blank cheque. He is not in the same level as an Ohtani or even a Soto. Too many fans do have too much emotional attachment to Vlad, and have blinders on. Atkins and Shapiro have a lot to be criticized for, but not giving Vlad a blank cheque should not be one of the reasons these two clowns should be dismissed.

Like I said previously, you do not want to risk losing Vlad for nothing. I would be fielding offers from around the league for Vlad right now. The offers will not be the same come trade deadline time, and you can get an excellent return for him based on his 2024 season (with elite controllable prospects and MLB ready talent). It would be foolish to roll the dice and risk losing Vlad for nothing next off-season. I would be trading Vlad to the highest bidder right now.

[polo007]

Read on Twitter

[The Servant]

The only logical move now is trading both of them. Which is why they'll hold onto both of them and lose them both for nothing.

Seems like a Toronto thing. I can see it easily.

[Hottie McShotty]

Read on Twitter

If this is what Vlad was asking for, that's absolutely outrageous.

I love Vladdy but 45m a year for 13 years is f***ing nuts. If that's what Vladdy thinks he's worth, then good riddance. Let's hope we can trade him and get something back in return instead of having him walk for nothing.

[JaysRule25]

If Ortiz is right about that being Vlad's number, then I'm glad we didn't sign him. Vlad hasn't done enough to earn a contract north of $500 million like that. Yes, he had a great 2024 season, but he had 5 homers between April and May and we were basically out of it by June. Before 2024, his last elite season was in 2021. That consistency isn't there. The people ripping the franchise for not extending him with a "blank cheque" would legit be the first ones calling him overpaid if he turns into his 2022 and 2023 self this upcoming season or beyond. I remember how people ripped Vernon Wells for that contract.

I would've loved to re-sign Vlad, but he needed to work with the team here on a number that made sense for both sides. Clearly, he's chasing max dollars (which he's not wrong to do), but neither is this management wrong for not bending over and paying the max. Where they messed up was not making a decision on trading or re-signing him last year when the season was going off the rails. I hope if we're out of it early this season, we're aggressive in flipping Vlad. It won't be the same return as it could've been, but I'm sure some team planning to go for it all this year will be desperate enough to offer a decent package.

[duppyy]

Screw Shatkins, all the moves this offseason are pointless now cause no way we are signing vladdy next season if he’s going to test the market.