Despite throwing some serious cash around, the Toronto Blue Jays’ offseason has felt more like a string of missed opportunities than a masterclass in roster-building. Sure, they’ve been linked to every big-name free agent under the sun—Juan Soto, Teoscar Hernández, Corbin Burnes—but each of these stars has used the Blue Jays as little more than a pawn to bump up their market value.  

At this point, Ross Atkins is running out of time to make a move that actually sticks. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the face of the franchise, the player who could be the emotional and marketing cornerstone of the team for the next decade. If there’s any move that could somewhat salvage the damage done this offseason, it’s securing Vlad Jr.’s future in Toronto with a long-term extension. But is the club doing that?  

In an episode of Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney, Buster Olney says that the Blue Jays should pivot. It’s getting really messy for the Toronto Blue Jays, and at this point, you have to wonder if they’re even sure what direction they’re headed in. It’s not just the Guerrero saga that has everyone scratching their heads, according to Hembo on the podcast, it seems like even the Blue Jays don’t know what they’re doing. “I don’t know what they’re doing, and honestly, neither do they.”   

It’s beginning to feel like the Blue Jays are in a bit of a problem after allegations surfaced that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rejected a huge contract deal, reportedly asking for something like $400 million. “If you can’t get Guerrero Jr. signed in the next couple weeks, they gotta just turn and pivot,” Buster Posey recently said. As the prospect of losing their mainstay player seems more imminent, you can practically hear the collective sigh of Toronto supporters. Time is running out, and that’s a big decision. Will the Blue Jays act before it’s too late, is the question.  

The Blue Jays might as well prepare themselves to lose the Venezuelan player  

The very thought of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wearing a Red Sox uniform is enough to electrify Fenway fans. You can bet that every Red Sox fan began preparing their “Vlad to Boston” banners after USA Today’s Bob Nightengale said that the Sox would be the overwhelming favorites to sign Guerrero when he becomes a free agent next winter.  

After all, Guerrero’s .940 OPS and four All-Star selections make him a game-changer, and the Sox have been desperate for a right-handed hitter. Who wouldn’t become excited? Hold on a minute, though, because another source is hitting the brakes before we all go buying Guerrero shirts. FanSided’s Robert Murray isn’t quite ready to declare the Red Sox as the favorites. Murray believes that making that decision is “premature,” and to be honest, he is not mistaken.  

As Murray notes, Guerrero will test the waters in the upcoming free-agent market, which is still a year away, with a contract like Juan Soto’s $765 million contract hanging over his head. And why wouldn’t you, as a baseball player with that type of potential? Therefore, let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet, even if Boston will undoubtedly be involved in the sweepstakes.

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