rewrite this title Blue Jays reportedly closing in on extension with top star

The ongoing saga between the Toronto Blue Jays and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may be coming to an end.

According to baseball insider Mike Rodriguez, the Blue Jays and Guerrero have made significant progress toward an extension. While Rodriguez does not have a timeline, he reported that the two sides are “very close” and that the extension would be for more than $500 million.

Such news would be a departure from previous reports. Guerrero had said that he was not willing to negotiate once spring training began. However, the Blue Jays were reportedly set to make another offer in March.

For his part, Guerrero has been vocal about his desire to remain in Toronto. The problem was finding the right dollar amount — previous extension talks reportedly had not been close to what Guerrero was looking for.

Guerrero has been a vital part of the Blue Jays lineup since his debut in 2019. A four-time All-Star, he had produced a .288/.363/.500 batting line in 3540 plate appearances entering 2025, hitting 160 homers and 177 doubles. He has developed into a former Gold Glove winner at first and worked on his defense at third base, allowing the Blue Jays to put him at the hot corner for 12 games in 2024.

Guerrero would be one of the top free agents for reasons beyond his performance. He turned 26 years old last month and would theoretically be entering free agency in his prime. Teams such as the Mets have already been linked to Guerrero, either on the trade front or if he entered the market. He is going to receive a significant payday one way or another. If these reports are accurate, that payday could keep Guerrero with the Blue Jays for a long time to come.