Well Mets fans, you can officially close the door on a potential Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pursuit.
The four-time All-Star first baseman has reached an agreement with the Blue Jays on a 14-year, $500 million contract extension, according to numerous reports.
Despite reports of a spring training deadline for negotiations, the two sides continued talking into this week, and now they’ve come to terms on a pact that could keep the slugger in Toronto for the remainder of his career.
The contract doesn't include any deferrals, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, giving Guerrero in present value the second-largest guarantee in major league history, behind only Juan Soto's historic pact with the Mets.
The Mets, of course, engaged with the Blue Jays this offseason in talks for the 26-year-old before they decided to bring back Pete Alonso on a two-year deal with an opt-out after the 2025 season.
While those discussions went nowhere, there had been some buzz about New York giving Guerrero a look over the winter if he were to reach free agency and Alonso were to exercise that opt-out.
However, that route is no longer on the board.
Guerrero has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in the power department this season, but he's coming off one of the best years of his career in which he popped 30 homers and drove in 103 runs in the middle of Toronto's lineup.
New York's pitching staff did well to keep him in check this weekend, limiting him to just four hits and one RBI.
