Reds HOFer draws parallels between Aaron Judge and $427,000,000 star

Modified Jan 29, 2025 05:06 GMT

MLB: American League at National League - Source: Imagn — Reds HOFer draws parallels between Aaron Judge and $427,000,000 star - Source: Imagn

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in line to sign a big contract soon. The Blue Jays have until the start of Spring Training to give him a contract extension he cannot refuse or risk losing him to free agency after the 2025 season. If he gets there, Spotrac estimates that he will sign a contract worth $427 million over 12 years.

During Tuesday's MLB Network Radio discussion, Reds Hall of Famer Sean Casey and host Greg Amsinger discussed the first baseman's prospects heading into the 2025 season.

Casey took a step ahead and compared Guerrero Jr. with the 2024 AL MVP (unanimously), Aaron Judge.

"He's going to get paid big time," Casey said. "And I think when you watch Vlad last year, you're like, wow. I think this is really more of what we expect from him rather than what we saw in the last few years. When you see his numbers in 2021, 2022, and 2023, I think 2024 is what we thought Vlad was going to be all the time.

"And when you look at his numbers, BK, I think the big thing is those last eighty-some games. He and Aaron Judge were the two best players in the game, top to bottom. And also, with him, he plays almost every game, right? You're going to get him in the lineup, very consistent."

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ranked No. 4 in MLB's Top 10 1B list

MLB: Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays - Source: Imagn

After a relatively down season where he hit .264/.345/.444 with 26 home runs and 94 RBI in 2023, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bounced back impressively, hitting .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI.

He also earned his first Silver Slugger award since 2021 and earned the selection to the All-MLB First team. That resulted in MLB putting him at No. 4 heading into the 2025 season, up three places from last year.

Here's the full list: