Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has historically been adamant about never playing for the New York Yankees. However, his stance appears to be changing as he considers the business side of baseball.
Guerrero was questioned about his previous comments on Monday night, amid the Blue Jays’ struggles in the American League East, where they find themselves in last place, trailing the Yankees by 16 games. With the trade deadline approaching on July 30, speculation about potential moves is mounting.
“Sometimes one says things. It is not that I am trying to take back what I said about the Yankees,” Guerrero shared with Virus Deportivo. “But this is a business. I sat down and spoke with my dad [Vladimir Guerrero Sr.] and my family, and this is a business. And I said I would never again talk about this topic and lots of people have asked me about it.”
Never say never
In 2022, Guerrero Jr. declared he’d “never sign with the Yankees — not even dead.” He reiterated this sentiment in 2023, telling the New York Post that it was “a personal thing that goes back with my family. … I would never change that.”
However, Guerrero seems more open to the possibility now. “Like I tell you, I’m a player and if a team picks me or if they do something, it’s because they need it, obviously, and I’ll be happy to help any team,” he said on Monday. “But right now, I’m just focused on helping my team try to get out of this bad streak.”
The Yankees are in need of a first baseman following Anthony Rizzo’s injury, which left him with a broken right forearm and out of action until August. They recently acquired J.D. Davis from the Oakland Athletics and called up Ben Rice from the minors.
However, Guerrero, at 25, would be a significant upgrade for a lineup already featuring stars like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Despite a slow start, Guerrero is currently batting .286 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs this season. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has stated that it “doesn’t make any sense” to trade Guerrero, who is under contract through the 2025 season.
Guerrero has had his moments of tension with Yankees fans, especially with his home run celebrations. In one instance on April 7, after hitting a home run, Guerrero pointed to fans between first and second base, stopped near shortstop to hop, and raised his right index finger to his lips as he passed third.
As the trade deadline looms, Guerrero’s softened stance adds an intriguing layer to the baseball landscape, particularly for the Yankees, who are seeking to bolster their roster for a postseason push.
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