The New York Yankees had a plan in the event that their mega-offer to Juan Soto would be rejected — and as soon as Soto agreed with the New York Mets on a record-smashing 15-year contract, the Bronx Bombers put their “plan B” in motion.
Since Soto joined the Mets on a $765 million contract, the Yankees have arguably been the busiest team in baseball. The reigning American League champions signed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year contract before swinging a trade for star closer Devin Williams; they then dealt for former MVP Cody Bellinger and acquired another former MVP, Paul Goldschmidt, via free agency. But the Yankees might be saving the biggest bombshell for last: a possible move for Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
AL East rivals go head-to-head
A trade between division rivals would be hard to envision — but by virtue of his expiring contract, Guerrero could join the Yankees as a free agent in 2025. And so far, Toronto does not seem to be doing enough to entice the 25-year-old to stick around.
Guerrero, a four-time All-Star and the son of Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Vladimir Guerrero Sr., is coming off the third 30-homer season, and he came sixth in the AL MVP voting after hitting a career-best .323 with 103 RBI in 2024. But the Blue Jays‘ continued presence outside of the playoff picture has only increased the noise surrounding Guerrero’s future; Toronto finished last in the AL East in 2024 and last won a postseason game in 2016.
For the Yankees, the chance to pair Guerrero with AL MVP Aaron Judge long-term will go a long way toward easing the pain from Soto’s departure. Acquiring Guerrero to “protect” Judge in the lineup would give the Yankees a formidable duo for the remainder of the 2020s and a fighting chance at a 28th World Series championship amidst the potential for a Los Angeles Dodgers dynasty.
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