The New York Yankees executed a daring trade for Juan Soto in the hopes of winning the World Series. With the trade deadline nearing, the Yankees are now the favourites to complete another huge transaction.
According to betonline.ag, the New York Yankees have the best chance (+300) of acquiring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. if the Toronto Blue Jays deal him. The top three are the Seattle Mariners (+500), Cleveland Guardians (+600), and San Francisco Giants (+700), with the Chicago Cubs (+800) completing the top five.
Toronto enters the weekend with a 37-43 record, 13.5 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees. The Blue Jays are 6.5 games out of the last Wild Card position. While they still have time to turn things around, the Blue Jays are moving away from contender status and toward being sellers.
If they do sell, Guerrero will be one of their most prized trading assets. He is expected to become a free agency in 2026, giving any acquiring team one additional year of control. However, any team that trades for Guerrero is primarily doing it for his power.
During his six years in the Major League Baseball, he has hit 141 home runs. That includes a.280 batting average, 446 RBI, and 20 steals. Guerrero is a three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger. Over 80 games in 2024, the corner infielder is hitting.289 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, and two steals.
If the Blue Jays continue to struggle, they may have to part with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While it would be terrible to move him to a division rival, New York may make an offer that Toronto cannot reject.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s fit with the Yankees
The Yankees’ offence has helped propel them to the top of the AL East. New York is second in runs scored (410) and home runs (119). Adding Guerrero to the mix would only strengthen the team’s offence.
If the current Toronto star were added to New York’s roster, he would be third in hitting average and fourth in home runs and RBI. Add Guerrero’s RBI to the Yankees’ total, and they would lead the league in this metric.
Outside of pure offensive performance, Guerrero’s presence would fill a need for the Yankees. First baseman Anthony Rizzo is on the 60-day disabled list due to a fractured forearm. Rookie Ben Rice has been given an opportunity, but he is only hitting.231 with an RBI.
With Juan Soto’s impending free agency, it may not make sense to trade for Vladimir Guerrero, whose contract expires a year later. However, the Yankees have shown that they are willing to go all in for a World Series victory. Adding Guerrero’s bat to the lineup would make New York’s offence even scarier.
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