The Toronto Blue Jays have shockingly addressed the $500 million elephant in the room: keeping superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from becoming a free agency.
How will the Blue Jays go after signing Guerrero Jr. through 2039? Is this a sign that Toronto is working out a hefty long-term deal with outstanding shortstop Bo Bichette? Will the people negotiating these deals, particularly general manager Ross Atkins, be around to see the club’s plans through?
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic ($), Bichette, along with Guerrero Jr., will be part of Toronto’s future. The same cannot be true for Atkins, who may require the Blue Jays to make the playoffs to keep his job.
Rosenthal stated that there appears to be a growing internal belief that Toronto “will need” a postseason berth “to avoid a major front-office overhaul.” The Blue Jays have not won a playoff game since their first full season under Atkins in 2016, which does not bode well for him.
Everyone is obviously relieved that Guerrero Jr. isn’t leaving anytime soon. The change (temporarily) gave Atkins additional time. Nonetheless, Rosenthal claims that the latter’s “dawdling” with the former throughout years of well-documented discussions “cost the franchise countless millions and cachet with free agents.”
Atkins may have quenched the organization’s most powerful flame, but he has also caused other flames during his time that have derailed the Blue Jays.
Aside from Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, Toronto doesn’t have a lot of youthful talent. According to Rosenthal’s colleague Keith Law, they have the No. 24 farm system in baseball ($). While Atkins expressed Toronto’s “vision” for Guerrero Jr. and Bichette “to continue to play together” following Vladdy’s deal, he may be a part of that picture. The Blue Jays executive has had numerous opportunities, but the team is perpetually stuck in purgatory.
The Toronto Blue Jays recently shocked the baseball world by purportedly signing superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a $500 million contract deal. The decision represents a big investment in the franchise’s future, guaranteeing that one of baseball’s brightest young stars remains the team’s face for years to come.
Fans were ecstatic when news of the historic transaction came, but there’s another tale simmering beneath the surface: general manager Ross Atkins’ uncertain future. While Guerrero Jr.’s contract is an obvious gain for the organization, insiders say the front management has been tight-lipped about Atkins’ long-term future.
Despite managing the team’s fundamental growth, notably Vlad Jr.’s ascension, Atkins has come under fire for recent postseason performances and roster decisions. Some supporters interpret the Guerrero contract as ownership stepping in directly, bypassing a GM whose job security has become increasingly precarious.
As Toronto doubles down on its franchise cornerstone, the issue is whether Atkins will be a part of the next chapter—or if this big move signals a change in leadership behind the scenes. One thing is certain: the Blue Jays have made a statement, and the baseball world is watching.
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