Vladdy details talks with Jays: Asking price was 'much less than Soto'

Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. offered some insight into his recent negotiations with the club that failed to yield an extension.

Guerrero said he was asking for a long-term contract in the range of 14 years but for less overall money than the $765 million Juan Soto got from the New York Mets this past winter.

"It's much less than Soto. We're talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less. ... It was the same number of years (as Soto), but it didn't reach 600 (million)," Guerrero told ESPN's Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez in a Spanish interview translated by ESPN's Alden González. "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."

Guerrero ended extension talks with the Blue Jays after he and the team couldn't reach an agreement before his self-imposed deadline of the start of spring training. As a result, he'll play out this year in Toronto and then test free agency.

"They had their numbers, I had my numbers," the Montreal-born Dominican star told reporters last month about negotiations.

Although he couldn't secure an extension, Guerrero hasn't ruled out re-signing with the Blue Jays during the offseason. However, he'll be open to listening to offers from all 30 teams - including the New York Yankees, who he'd adamantly ruled out playing for until recently.

Despite the failed negotiations, Guerrero insists he's ready to give the Blue Jays everything he's got on the field in 2025.

"As I've always said, just because we couldn't reach an agreement, I'm not going to change the way I work. I have to keep working," he said.

Guerrero, who turns 26 on March 16, is looking to build off a bounce-back 2024 campaign that saw him hit .323/.396/.544 with 30 homers and 103 RBIs over 159 games. He's off to a good start this spring, hitting .400 (8-for-20) with four RBIs and a 1.105 OPS over eight Grapefruit League contests.