The 26-year-old first baseman is gearing up for a blockbuster contract this offseason, and he’s open to entertaining offers from any MLB team willing to make contact. According to his remarks—and as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic—he is expected to demand a deal exceeding $500 million in present value, meaning every dollar would be paid upfront with no deferrals to future seasons.
This approach places teams with deep pockets, particularly the New York Yankees, in a prime position to outbid rivals like the Toronto Blue Jays and snag Vladdy’s signature.
For the Chicago Cubs, however, this scenario presents a double-edged sword. On one side, Guerrero Jr.’s availability offers an enticing opportunity to immediately bolster their lineup, especially if there’s a chance Kyle Tucker might be moving on. On the flip side, the Cubs have historically been cautious when it comes to spending big.
Despite their big-market status and rich history, the largest contract in franchise history was Jason Hayward’s eight-year, $184 million deal back in December 2015.
Presently, only players like Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ earn more than $20 million annually. With Guerrero Jr. projected to average around $35 million per year, the Cubs could face fierce competition from teams like the Yankees, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox, who are more inclined to engage in a high-stakes bidding war.
The looming question remains: will the Cubs finally decide to break their conservative spending habits and make a splash in free agency by landing one of baseball’s most coveted players, or will they watch from the sidelines as other franchises invest heavily to secure Vladdy.
Much will depend on the evolving situation with Kyle Tucker and the shifting dynamics of the free agency market, but for now, it seems the Cubs might once again find themselves looking in when it comes to this high-profile signing.
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