Atkins: We've 'worked extremely hard' on finding way to extend Vlad

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said the franchise's front office has made a very strong effort to sign star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term extension.

"We've worked extremely hard on keeping Vlad here for a long time," Atkins said Thursday. "The desire is strong and we will continue to do that."

Guerrero, who can test free agency after the 2025 season, said he won't be interested in continuing contract negotiations once full-team workouts start Tuesday at spring training.

"We will be very respectful of Vlad and his desire to have that," Atkins said when asked about Guerrero's self-imposed deadline. "We understand and respect it, but we will never close that door."

Blue Jays manager John Schneider also reiterated the club's desire to extend the 25-year-old four-time All-Star.

"We all want Vlad to be here," Schneider said, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "Ross has said that and I've said that. You just keep working towards it and hopefully it happens, but our conversations have really been about this year and how we can get better."

Teammate José Berríos added: "He wants to be here. The way he's been talking to me, he wants to be here. Toronto Blue Jays fans love him. They want him on the team."

The Blue Jays and Guerrero were reportedly at least $100 million apart in extension talks in early January, as the player was seeking a megadeal worth around $450 million. The 2021 AL MVP runner-up revealed on a Spanish podcast in December that Toronto made him an offer in the $340-million range, but the proposed pact wasn't close to what he was looking for. Recent reports suggest the two sides have since narrowed the gap.

Guerrero will make $28.5 million this season after recording 30 homers with 103 RBIs and a .940 OPS over 159 games in 2024 en route to finishing sixth in AL MVP voting.