Vlad Guerrero Jr. Talks Contract, MLB Trade Rumors: 'I Don't Want to Leave' Blue Jays

Ahead of the MLB trade deadline at the end of July, Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gave his thoughts about his future with the team.

He said that he wants to stay in Toronto, but understands that he has to think about the business side of things.

"Man, I don't want to leave. I want to stay here all my life," Guerrero said, per TSN's Scott Mitchell. "But this is business."

Guerrero, who is on a one-year, $19.9 million deal, also said money isn't something he thinks about.

"My time is going to come," Guerrero said. "I don't know if it's soon or not but it's going to come."

Guerrero's comments come as the sixth-year veteran seeks a long-term extension, either with the Blue Jays or elsewhere. If Toronto isn't willing to give him a deal, he could request a trade or depart in free agency in 2025.

In each of the last three seasons, Guerrero has signed one-year arbitration deals despite putting up solid numbers. This year, the 25-year-old has 13 homers, 50 RBI and a .296 batting average, shaking off a rough start to the season.

The Blue Jays are in a similar position with budding star Bo Bichette, who signed a three-year deal in 2023, avoiding arbitration. Toronto reportedly "never came close" to signing Guerrero and Bichette to long-term deals, and that could result in the franchise's cornerstones wanting out of the organization.

The Jays are 39-48 on the year and are unlikely to reach the postseason at this point. With any hopes of competing for a World Series likely shot, Toronto could opt to blow things up at the trade deadline, potentially trading Guerrero or Bichette—or both.

That would throw a wrench in Guerrero's plans of staying with the team his entire career, but it could ultimately help the 25-year-old in the long run.