Vladimir Guerrero Jr. teammate offers clever suggestion to maximize his market value with 6x All-Star rumored to make $300M in free agency

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is currently playing his sixth season for the Toronto Blue Jays. He signed a $19.9 million contract with Toronto during the offseason, settling arbitration. Although Guerrero Jr. still has one more season of arbitration before his free agency begins in 2026, the speculation of the slugger leaving Toronto is growing.

The 25-year-old first baseman is rumored to get a record-breaking $300 million extension offer if he tests the free market. Amid the opinion differences between experts and fans, Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt offered Vladimir Guerrero Jr. advice to maximize his worth.

On the 252nd episode of Chris Rose Rotation, Bassitt joined Chris Rose to share his personal and professional stories and opinions regarding Guerrero Jr.’s free agency approach.

“I've been around some really, really good players, and I have never seen anyone like Vlady [Vladimir Guerrero Jr]. I just haven't,” Bassitt said of the Blue Jays’ 4x All-Star. “I don't want to speak for him on this, but I think Vlad wants to be a Blue Jay for the rest of his career.” [Time Stamp: 30:34]

“I don't think he wants to leave. So I don't think it's like a super, super rush to get an extension done. They obviously didn't trade him because they don't see him or want him to be in another uniform. They're okay to go arbitration, give him I don't even know how much he's going to make next year. But I think both sides want to be together.”

Bassitt shared a tip for Guerrero Jr. to increase his free agency value: switch from first to third base. His reasoning for this advice is that offering lineup flexibility will attract more suitors.

“If I was Vlad and I was going into a free agency year, I'd be like, listen, you're moving me to Third Base because I'll make a lot more money at third base than at first base and the reality is he is pretty damn good at third base,” he said.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been a first baseman for most of his career. He last played at third base in 2022 for a single game before returning to the position this year for six games. He has played 104 games at third base, with the majority being played in 2019.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. keeps his resume updated for offseason

Although the Blue Jays didn’t initiate trade talks for Guerrero Jr. this season, nothing can be assured for next season, which will be his last before entering free agency. It’s safe to assume that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be offered an extension from Toronto if they opt to keep him. However, if the club intends to part ways with him, Guerrero Jr. could be a great bargaining chip to secure multiple talented players.

The franchise cornerstone is putting up great numbers this season, scoring 80 RBIs and 72 runs, with a slash line of .317/.388/.547 and an OPS of .936 in 123 games. He’s been a constant invitee to All-Star events since 2021 and became an MVP finalist in 2021. Although he hasn’t returned to his MVP form, Vlad has plenty of time to regain it with a contending team.

Guerrero Jr. has never gone past the Wild Card Series, and Toronto's current 58-66 record trends toward the AL East cellar this season. Perhaps the silver slugger is interested in building his October legacy.