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Aaliyan Mohammed is a Newsweek contributor based in Atlanta, GA. His focus is MLB content. Aaliyan has been with Newsweek since 2024 and previously worked at MLB.com, Wisconsin Sports Heroics and Heavy.com. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University. You can get in touch with Aaliyan by emailing a.mohammed@newsweek.com
Contributing Sports Writer
The Toronto Blue Jays failed to agree on an extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He will become a free agent next winter and, given the Blue Jays track record with superstars in free agency, the team could consider trading him before he walks for no return.
Guerrero has one year of control, just like Juan Soto did when he was traded to the New York Yankees. The San Diego Padres received six players for Soto and Trent Grisham in that trade. FanSided's Matthew Sookram proposed this trade that would net the Blue Jays a similar return and help expedite their rebuild:
- Blue Jays receive: shortstop Jett Williams (MLB No. 58 prospect), outfielder Drew Gilbert (Mets No. 3), first baseman Ryan Clifford (Mets No. 4) and right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean (Mets No. 9)
- Mets receive: first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
"The Mets wouldn't have to give up any MLB-ready talent in this trade, while the Blue Jays would get plenty of prospects in their early 20's with high upside to help jumpstart a rebuild," wrote Sookram. "It may seem like a lot for the Mets to give up, but if Guerrero starts the season strong (he's projected by FanGraphs to have 4.8 fWAR this season, the most among all first basemen in 2025), then they should be able to swing a deal similar to what the Nationals got when they traded Juan Soto to the Padres."
The Blue Jays would be getting four of the Mets' best prospects who could help them quickly rebuild their team. Williams could serve as a replacement to Bo Bichette, who will also be a free agent after the season.
As for the Mets, they would have a logjam in the infield for a season, but they would also have the inside edge for Guerrero in free agency. If Pete Alonso opts out the Mets could offer Guerrero a lucrative contract that keeps him and Soto together for the future.
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