Former MLB exec explains why Vladimir Guerrero is delusional to think Blue Jays or Yankees will pay him $500 million this winter..
A former MLB executive thinks Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Vladimir Guerrero is out of his mind if he thinks he will get a deferral-free deal worth $500 million next winter.
It was another eventful offseason in MLB over the last few months. Juan Soto received a record-shattering $765 million deal from the New York Mets. Max Fried scored the biggest contract ever for a lefty from the New York Yankees. Garrett Crochet was finally traded from the Chicago White Sox. And Alex Bregman got a stunning contract from the Boston Red Sox that will make him the highest paid third baseman ever, by far.
The current focus of most around baseball is on the start of the new season at the end of the month. Yet, that doesn’t mean they aren’t keeping an eye on next offseason and the impact players that could be available. The biggest fish in the 2025 free agent market will be Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero.
A new report this week claimed that the four-time All-Star plans on asking for a contract worth $500 million this winter. Furthermore, he does not want it to include deferrals. It would mean he could get a deal that likely pays him more annually than reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani. That is an idea former Miami Marlins president David Samson believes is not at all grounded in reality.
Also Read: Vladimir Guererro Jr’s contract demands revealed by top MLB insider
David Samson suggests Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is crazy if he thinks he will get a $500 million contract
“Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will not get a present value contract of $500 million in free agency,” Samson said on his Nothing Personal podcast. “… $500 million as a free agent seems reasonable these days. Except, he wants $500 million without deferrals. Meaning he wants a present-day contract bigger than Shohei Ohtani. For Guerrero to say he wants 500 in present day value, he is in Emma Stone land. Total la la.
“You know what you’re getting with Guerrero. There is a level of inconsistency. There’s a worry about the body. There’s a worry about where he’ll play on the field,” he added. “There is nothing he can do to increase his value other than playing well and making his team better.”
Vladimir Guerrero stats (2024): .323 AVG, .396 OBP, .544 SLG, .940 OPS, 30 HR, 103 RBI, 98 R
It is a strong rebuke of the rumored asking price. But it does make sense. More than half of Ohtani’s contract will be paid in deferrals. He should be getting paid $70 million a year but will get just over $28 million annually due to deferrals.
A 10-year or 15-year deal worth $500 million a year would be more than Ohtani on an annual basis. Teams like the Toronto Blue Jays or New York Yankees may be open to paying more on a short term deal, but not for the next decade plus.
“You know what you’re getting with Guerrero. There is a level of inconsistency. There’s a worry about the body. There’s a worry about where he’ll play on the field,” he added. “There is nothing he can do to increase his value other than playing well and making his team better.”
Vladimir Guerrero stats (2024): .323 AVG, .396 OBP, .544 SLG, .940 OPS, 30 HR, 103 RBI, 98 R
It is a strong rebuke of the rumored asking price. But it does make sense. More than half of Ohtani’s contract will be paid in deferrals. He should be getting paid $70 million a year but will get just over $28 million annually due to deferrals.
A 10-year or 15-year deal worth $500 million a year would be more than Ohtani on an annual basis. Teams like the Toronto Blue Jays or New York Yankees may be open to paying more on a short term deal, but not for the next decade plus.
5 Phillies pitchers who’ve taken full advantage of spring training opportunities…
Spring training is the perfect time for players to prove themselves and start the new season off strong which is exactly what these Phillies pitchers have done so far.
The Philadelphia Phillies will play their first game of the 2025 Major League Baseball season in just two weeks. As spring training nears its end, roster cuts continue as the team prepares to finalize the Opening Day roster.
The final bench spot is still up for grabs, but many of the Phillies’ pitchers have taken full advantage of their spring training opportunities, particularly bullpen arms vying for certain roles.
5 Phillies pitchers who’ve taken full advantage of spring training opportunities
Jordan Romano, RHP
The Phillies signed former Toronto Blue Jays two-time All-Star closer Jordan Romano to a one-year deal this offseason. Romano made consecutive All-Star appearances from 2022-23 and has a career 2.90 ERA with 105 saves.
Romano’s 2024 season was cut short after being shut down for the year at the end of May with a right elbow injury. The right-hander pitched only 13 2/3 innings.
The Phillies hope Romano can return to his All-Star form and successfully take over a late-inning high-leverage role previously held by Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez who are no longer with the team. The 31-year-old has impressed through five spring training innings pitched, recording a 0.80 WHIP, two holds, six strikeouts and a 10.8 K/9 without allowing an earned run. He’s allowed just three hits and one walk in five appearances.
José Alvarado, LHP
José Alvarado is a reliever the Phillies will heavily count on in 2025. The hard-throwing left-hander has shown signs of a dominant late-inning arm throughout his four-year Phillies career, but the 2024 season was alarming.
Alvarado had an impressive 14.29 K/9 in 2022 and posted a 1.74 ERA across 41 1/3 innings in 2023. His sinker is as dominant as they come, reaching triple digits, and his cutter generates a lot of swings and misses. The 29-year-old’s K/9 dropped to 9.19 in 2024 and he had command issues throughout the season.
The Phillies are counting on Alvarado to bounce back this season and be a reliable late-inning reliever. He’s had a strong start in spring training, recording a 1.00 WHIP, two holds, 12 strikeouts and a 21.6 K/9 without allowing a run through five innings pitched. He’s allowed just two hits and three walks.
José Alvarado Filth. pic.twitter.com/V1Sfpi8tRK
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 2, 2025
John McMillon, RHP
The Phillies claimed John McMillon off waivers from the Miami Marlins in November and invited him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander has a career 1.69 ERA and 21 strikeouts across 16 innings pitched between the Kansas City Royals and Marlins.
The Phillies’ new-look bullpen isn’t set heading into the 2025 season, so players like McMillon have had the opportunity to earn a role this spring. He’s taken full advantage.
McMillon owns a 1.00 WHIP and has recorded five strikeouts for an 11.3 K/9 without allowing a run this spring. The 27-year-old has allowed just one hit and three walks in four innings pitched.
McMillon may not make the Opening Day roster, but he’ll likely contribute to the Phillies’ bullpen at some point during the season.
José Ruiz, RHP
José Ruiz was a pleasant surprise for the Phillies a season ago after signing a minor league deal with the organization after the 2023 season. He made his first appearance with the team on May 4, pitching two scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants.
Ruiz finished the 2024 season with a 5-1 record, 3.71 ERA, one save and 52 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. The right-hander was a reliable arm and was used in many situations.
Ruiz is out of minor league options, so he’ll have to continue to perform at a high level to remain with the team. The 30-year-old has seemingly taken a stranglehold on a role in the bullpen heading into the 2025 season with a strong spring training performance. Ruiz is 1-0 with a 0.75 WHIP, five strikeouts and an 11.3 K/9 while allowing only two hits, one walk and no runs across four innings pitched.
Cristopher Sánchez, LHP
Cristopher Sánchez enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 as a part of the Phillies’ elite starting rotation. He earned the first All-Star selection of his career and received a four-year contract extension mid-season. He finished in the top 10 in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
Sánchez had an 11-9 record with a 3.32 ERA and 1.24 WHIP last year. The left-hander has been known to be a groundball pitcher with a lower strikeout rate. He’s shown signs of increased velocity through four starts this spring, nearing triple digits, and has a high 13.11 K/9.
Please enjoy all four Ks from Sanchie’s day pic.twitter.com/7Dfj2dWm5Y
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 7, 2025
Much attention has been directed toward Phillies starters Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez over the years, and deservingly so, but Sánchez seems to be finally getting national recognition after the 2024 season and his impressive spring.
