Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays couldn't agree on a contract extension before the deadline. Guerrero Jr. has made it clear he won't negotiate during the season, so he'll be a free agent next offseason. This means he'll be entering the final year of his current contract. Guerrero Jr. mentioned that the two sides were not close to an agreement.

        Guerrero Jr. is only 25 years old and is less than five months younger than Juan Soto, who recently signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. This makes many wonder if the Mets will be ready to offer a similar deal to Guerrero Jr. next winter.

        The Mets also recently signed Pete Alonso to a two-year, $54 million contract. This deal includes an opt-out clause after the first season. If Alonso has a strong season, he could hit the market again, and the Mets would have to decide between paying a 31-year-old fan favorite or offering a massive deal to Guerrero Jr. , who will be entering his age-27 season.

        Other big-market teams like the Yankees and Red Sox are also expected to be interested in Guerrero Jr. Guerrero Jr. expressed his desire to stay with the Blue Jays but acknowledged that free agency is a business and he'll have to listen to offers from other teams.

        Guerrero Jr. 's father, a Hall of Famer, never won a championship during his 16-year career. Guerrero Jr. has made it clear that his personal goal is to win a World Series and give the ring to his dad. This adds another layer to his free agency decision, as he'll be looking for a team that can help him achieve this goal.

        Guerrero Jr. has set his sights on a winning team, and he'll be looking for the best offer. It's a tough decision for the Blue Jays and other teams, as Guerrero Jr. is a talented player with a lot to offer. The Blue Jays will have to decide if they want to keep him and potentially lose him to free agency, or if they want to trade him and get something in return.

Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays: A Contract Deadline Missed

Actions