"Vladimir Guerrero Jr. loves it there" - Sportscaster urges Blue Jays stop 4x All-Star first baseman from entering free agency in 2025

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will become a free agent after the 2025 season. The four-time All-Star made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in Apr. 2019 and has since emerged as the face of the franchise. He is also coming off a great year in 2024, hitting .323 and 30 home runs.

Such production could easily fetch the 25-year-old a sizeable contract next offseason, but this could be avoided if the Blue Jays make him an undeniable offer.

Given the Blue Jays often fall short in acquiring top free agents, like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, MLB Network's Kevin Frandsen believes the franchise should prevent Vladdy from entering free agency next year.

"I just—I think the world of him, I do. And I think, for the Blue Jays, it would be huge to retain him," Frandsen said on MLB Network Radio. "The part that I love is that he's openly talked about how he just wants to be there. He loves it there. And they’ve gotta find a way."

"Like, you can't be — and I understand it too — you can't be courting all these other guys before his free agency's here, showing that you’re willing to spend this amount of money, and not show him the same love. Maybe not the same amount of dollars, but, I mean, not significantly less."

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract expectations soar thanks to Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could be next in line after Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto to set the free agent market abuzz in the 2025 offseason. When Ohtani became a free agent, he signed a then-record 10-year, $700 million deal with the LA Dodgers. This offseason, Soto surpassed Ohtani's contract, signing a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets.

Guerrero Jr. is expected to headline next year's free agency, and while his contract might not exceed the aforementioned deals, it should fall somewhere in the vicinity of $500-$600 million.

During an interview with Abriendo El podcast, the first baseman thanked Soto and Ohtani for boosting his potential contract numbers.

"My numbers changed thanks to Juan Soto. Shohei Ohtani changed the system for Soto, and Soto changed the system for me," he said.

Vladdy also opened about his contract extension talks with the Blue Jays, but so far, they haven't been close to reaching an agreement.

“We’ve heard a little from them, but it’s not even close to what we’re looking for,” Guerrero Jr. said.

It remains to be seen if the Blue Jays will act and lock in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before he enters next year's free agency.