The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a tough decision regarding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as they approach the 2025 MLB trade deadline. The team could either choose to keep Guerrero and push to compete for a postseason spot, hoping to re-sign him during free agency next offseason, or they could trade him away and enter a partial rebuild while still pursuing him when he becomes a free agent. The choice will depend largely on how the Blue Jays perform leading up to the trade deadline.
If the Blue Jays are in the midst of a division title race or fighting for a playoff spot, it would be highly unlikely for them to trade their superstar. Keeping Guerrero would allow the team to maintain its competitive edge and continue its quest for a deep postseason run. The franchise would likely prefer to retain him and attempt to secure his services long-term rather than part ways prematurely.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicted that the Blue Jays will probably hold onto Guerrero for the entire 2025 season instead of trading him. Miller noted that the big question now is whether the team will be far enough out of contention by the trade deadline to consider dealing Guerrero as a rental player, much like the Orioles did with Manny Machado in 2018. However, Miller does not anticipate a trade before the season starts, especially given the investments the Blue Jays have already made.
With recent signings such as Andrés Giménez, Anthony Santander, Jeff Hoffman, and Max Scherzer, the Blue Jays have made it clear that they intend to contend in 2025. These additions suggest that the team is aiming for a competitive season and expects to be in the playoff hunt, at least until the All-Star break. Given these moves, it would be surprising if the Blue Jays find themselves at the bottom of the American League East by midseason, making it more likely they will keep Guerrero.
However, if the Blue Jays are struggling by the deadline and find themselves out of contention, trading Guerrero could make sense. The team could opt to acquire a substantial return of prospects, which could help set them up for future success. While this scenario would be disappointing, it could provide the team with the assets needed to rebuild and strengthen the roster for the long term, with the possibility of re-signing Guerrero in the future still on the table.
