On October 25, the New York Yankees will play Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hot Stove rumours, however, persist despite the Fall Classic. This winter, could the Bombers try to get Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays?
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report offered “crazy” MLB trade suggestions for every division that would upend the status quo before 2025. He suggested the following four-player trade between Toronto and New York:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., first baseman, is acquired by the Yankees.
The Blue Jays acquire right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter, left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge, and outfielder Spencer Jones.
Three of the Yankees’ top 20 minor-league prospects would be traded in this suggested arrangement. According to MLB.com, Beeter is ranked 18th overall, followed by Jones (second) and Selvidge (seventh) in the top 10.
Given that each of the six men who played first base this season had an OPS of.661 or worse, the Yankees most definitely need the assistance there. They will undoubtedly turn down their $17 million club option on Anthony Rizzo in search of a better choice, he stated. As was the case with [Juan] Soto last winter, the Yankees will need to pay a king’s ransom in order to Obtain their man. However, if they are successful in re-signing Soto and acquiring Guerrero, they would have an absolutely devastating lineup in 2025.
For the Yankees, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be a huge upgrade.
In 2024, the Yankees’ offence was among the greatest in baseball. The club reached a total of 117 wRC+ thanks in part to Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. According to FanGraphs, the only team with a more effective offence was the Dodgers (118). However, Miller pointed out that the New York first basemen contributed very little.
The second-worst wRC+ in MLB was generated by that portion of the squad (76). Guerrero, meanwhile, had a fantastic season for Toronto as a first baseman.
His 5.5 WAR was top among main first basemen, per FanGraphs. The slugger with the right hand struck.323/.396/.544 with 697 plate appearances, 30 home runs, 103 RBI, and 98 runs scored. In the past, Guerrero has also enjoyed hitting at Yankee Stadium. In 42 career games, he has a.959 OPS, 14 home runs, and 26 RBI.
According to MLB Trade Rumours, he will make $29.6 million in his final year of arbitration after earning $19.9 million in 2024. After the 2025 season, he will become a free agent.
Guerrero’s chances of joining the Yankees are slim.
Would Guerrero be comfortable joining the Yankees if the Blue Jays made a significant trade offer and he had a vote in where he went next? In 2022, he declared that he would never sign a contract with the Bombers. His statement in April that “it’s a personal thing that goes back with my family” supported that.
In addition to mentioning both of things, Miller also explained how the slugger had changed his mind before the trade deadline and was more amenable to a deal if one materialised.
However, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on August 18 that Toronto will attempt to sign Guerrero to an extension prior to his free agency. Additionally, combining him alongside Guerrero after 2025 will be a key component of the equation if they make a strong run at Soto this winter.
If it fell, this would undoubtedly be a crazy trade. It doesn’t seem realistic right now, though, given Guerrero’s history with the Yankees and the fact that both Toronto and New York are in the American League East.
