Potential Red Sox Target Offers Details Of Blue Jays Contract Talks

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow always is thinking long-term for the Red Sox, which means Boston could be in the sweepstakes for a star slugger.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension. That sets up a big 2026 offseason with multiple teams expected to try to sign the four-time All-Star.

There’s been speculation about what it could cost to sign the 25-year-old, but Guerrero’s insight into his contract negotiations with the Blue Jays might offer an idea.

“It’s much less than (Juan) Soto. We’re talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less,” Guerrero told ESPN’s Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez. ” … It was the same number of years (as Soto’s contract), but it didn’t reach ($600 million). The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn’t reach 600.

“I know the business. I lowered the salary demands a bit, but I also lowered the number of years. … I’m looking for 14 (years). I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way.”

Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Guerrero could fetch a similar offer, but he seems focused on a long-term deal with a slightly less average annual value.

Of course, with multiple teams expected to bid, the contract number could increase similar to Soto’s. However, Guerrero is confident in his value as one of the top young sluggers in MLB. Whether or not the Red Sox will be in on the seventh-year infielder is too soon to say, but there could be mutual interest in seeing Guerrero at Fenway Park.