As the New York Yankees gear up for Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the rumor mill is already in overdrive. One of the hottest topics? A potential blockbuster trade that would see Toronto Blue Jays star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. donning pinstripes.
According to a proposal from Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, the Yankees could swing a major four-player deal to acquire Guerrero this offseason. The suggested trade would send three of the Yankees’ top prospects—infielder Spencer Jones, left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge, and right-hander Clayton Beeter—to Toronto in exchange for the hard-hitting first baseman.
Why Would the Yankees Make This Move?
New York’s need for a first baseman is glaring. In 2024, the Yankees’ six-man rotation at first base struggled, producing a paltry .661 OPS—the second-worst in Major League Baseball. This lack of production has put pressure on the team to decline Anthony Rizzo’s $17 million club option and search for a better option.
Enter Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero is coming off a monstrous 2024 season where he hit .323 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, and posted a 5.5 WAR, the best among MLB’s first basemen. His ability to crush the ball, particularly at Yankee Stadium where he holds a .959 OPS with 14 homers in 42 career games, would add a wrecking ball of power to an already formidable Yankees lineup. Imagine a core of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Guerrero—a trio that would undoubtedly strike fear into any pitching staff.
But trading for Guerrero wouldn’t come cheap. Toronto would command a hefty return, and the Yankees would have to part with several of their top prospects. But for a win-now team looking to reclaim its dominance, it might be a gamble worth taking.
Will Guerrero Even Consider the Yankees?
The biggest roadblock isn’t just the price tag—it’s Guerrero himself. The 25-year-old slugger has a complicated history with the Yankees. In 2022, he publicly declared that he would never sign with New York, a sentiment that he reiterated in April, attributing it to “a personal thing” related to his family.
However, recent reports suggest a softening in his stance. Guerrero reportedly became more open to the idea of a trade to New York ahead of the 2024 trade deadline. Yet, with Guerrero set to become a free agent after 2025, Toronto is likely to make a push to sign him to a long-term extension, especially if they pursue Juan Soto in the offseason.
Locking in both Guerrero and Soto could make the Blue Jays serious contenders for years to come. But if Toronto fails to extend Guerrero, the Yankees could be waiting in the wings, ready to strike.
A Wild Trade Scenario, But Unlikely—For Now
A trade of this magnitude would certainly send shockwaves through baseball, especially with both teams battling for supremacy in the American League East. While Guerrero’s talent and the Yankees’ need for a first baseman make this a tantalizing proposition, the personal history and fierce division rivalry between the two teams complicate matters.
As of now, it seems like a long shot. But in the wild world of MLB trades, anything is possible. Should the Yankees be willing to go all-in, they might just land the game-changer they’ve been searching for.