Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has proclaimed that he would “never sign with the Yankees.” Was it just to play the villain to the fans of baseball’s most decorated team? Or is he afraid of playing in pinstripes that are too heavy for him because of the highly demanding fans?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the first baseman for the Blue Jays, is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season. It is still unclear if he will stay in Toronto, but it is clear that he won’t be wearing pinstripes any time soon. Guerrero Jr. told Vincent Carmona Arias in a recent YouTube interview that he would never sign with the Yankees.
“I like to play in New York. I like to kill the Yankees. I would never sign with the Yankees, not even [when I’m] dead,” said Guerrero.
At the plate, Guerrero Jr. has been a real Yankee killer. The 23-year-old has hit .289 in his career against the Yankees, with 13 home runs and 41 RBI. He has also hit 10 home runs in a total of 31 games at Yankee Stadium. In general, Guerrero Jr. had a good year in 2022. This season, he hit 32 home runs and won a Gold Glove at first base.
There is always a chance that money could “change minds” and make a difference. If the hitter gets to free agency, he will be courted by many teams.
However, his tirade against the Yankees, according to many, is just to catch attention. No doubt he has a very good record against New York. But it won’t be easier for him to play in pinstripes. New York is not Toronto. The Yankees have a great history and fans expect their team members to reflect that great tradition in their on-field acts.
Sometimes the stripes get heavy under fans’ expectations. Even a cult figure like Aaron Judge was booed for failing to hit during the ALCS against the Astros. The outside energy is furious when a player fails to meet what fans expect. SNY TV has highlighted how Yankees’ players privately complained to agents about an unusually brutal experience in New York after their ALCS defeat.
Maybe Guerrero Jr. is afraid of such a highly-demanding atmosphere at the Yankees. And the fans have many cult figures to revere in New York and all of them tower over the Blue Jays’ star.
The Yankees fans also responded to him on Twitter.
Toronto still has time to sign their star player. Guerrero Jr. will stay with the Blue Jays as a player who can go to arbitration until 2025. He told Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital that he is open to staying with the team for a long time.
“I feel really happy playing here,” Guerrero Jr. said. “I hope something can be done about it this offseason.”
What leads to such a boastful comment by Guerrero Jr.? How do you want to respond to him?
