MLB Rumors: Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Interests Cubs Ahead of Trade Deadline

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJune 9, 2024

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly spoken about the potential of acquiring Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the trade deadline.

“Rival executives believe that if the Toronto Blue Jays don’t turn it around, and are unable to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to extensions, they will be open to moving them,” Nightengale reported. “The Chicago Cubs have privately discussed the possibility of trying to acquire Guerrero at the trade deadline.”

The 25-year-old Guerrero, a three-time All-Star, entered Sunday hitting .294 (.815 OPS) with seven home runs and 30 RBI in 64 games.

The Blue Jays are struggling this year after making the playoffs the past two seasons, entering Sunday at 31-33. However, the Jays are very much so alive in the race for the third and final wild-card spot, which was occupied by the 33-31 Minnesota Twins going into Sunday.

But if Toronto keeps floundering, it’s apparently possible that Toronto becomes a seller at the deadline. Dealing Guerrero Jr., a franchise cornerstone player, would signal a complete and utter rebuild in town.

He finished second in the American League MVP race during his age-22 season in 2021 and looked like a future superstar, hitting 48 home runs with 111 RBI, a .311 batting average and 1.002 OPS.

Guerrero hasn’t been able to replicate those numbers, with a per-162 game average of 28 homers and 94 RBI alongside a .806 OPS ever since then.

Still, he’s still a productive power hitter at his best and could return to his heyday, especially at just 25 years old.

It makes perfect sense for the Cubs to be interested in him, especially with the team 4-12 in it last 16 games. Guerrero is also under team control for two more years before being eligible for free agency in 2026.

We’ll see if anything develops down the line, but for now, the trade deadline date to watch is July 30.