Toronto Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins gives important update regarding Vladimir Guerrero Jr negotiations
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Toronto Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins recently spoke to the media regarding the on going Vladimir Guerrero Jr contract negotiations and his plan moving forward.
The Blue Jays have been in negotiations with Guerrero for quite some time now and while some believe that they will be unable to re-sign him, others believe that they are closing in on finalizing a deal.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins speaks on on going Vladimir Guerrero Jr contract negotiations
GM Ross Atkins has not spoken on the Guerrero situation in quite some time as the last time he spoke they had yet to make him an offer but since then they made their first offer of $340 million which Guerrero rejected.
It has been widely reported that the superstar first baseman has been seeking considerably more - likely at least $100 million US more - than the $340-million US deal the team is said to have offered earlier in the off-season. -Longley
During a press conference to introduce newly signed pitcher Max Scherzer, Atkins spoke on the Guerrero situation not giving any real details but stating that the plan is still to sign him and have him with the team for a long time.
«Today is about Max and today is about the team that's in place and Vlad is certainly a huge part of that,» Atkins said when asked specifically about the looming deadline. «You all know our desire to have him here for a long time and we'll continue to work towards that.» -Atkins
While fans still have no idea on how much the Blue Jays are exactly willing to offer the first baseman despite rumors of numbers exceeding $450 million, it is positive that Atkins has admitted that signing him is still their main goal.
Whether Atkins' acknowledgement that talks are ongoing and remain a priority is cause for optimism or merely posturing remains to be seen. But it's the broadest hint Atkins has given publicly that the team still is actively engaged in getting Guerrero to agree to an extension. -Longley
As Spring Training is right around the corner, the Blue Jays are running out of time to get a deal done as Guerrero stated that once camp begins, he will not continue to negotiate.
Hopefully the Blue Jays can figure out a way to get a deal done in the next week but they are definitely cutting it close.
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