Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. confirms his stance on playing for the Yankees

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/21/23

Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is potentially two seasons away from hitting the free-agent market. While the two-time All-Star mulls his uncertain future, he reminded the New York Yankees on Friday that they have no shot at acquiring his services should he fail to negotiate a long-term deal with the Jays.

"It's a personal thing. It goes back with my family," Guerrero said, via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "That's my decision and I will never change that."

Guerrero is nothing if not consistent. Last November, Guerrero said he liked playing in New York for one reason: to "kill the Yankees." The 23-year-old then vowed that he'd never wear Yankee pinstripes.

"I would never sign with the Yankees, not even dead," Guerrero said.

In January, Guerrero dug in further, telling a young fan during a Q&A that the Yankees were the "easiest" team he played during the 2022 campaign.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tells a young fan that the Yankees were the easiest team to play against last season pic.twitter.com/PWIo1zxCUO
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) January 21, 2023

Guerrero has enjoyed playing the Yankees during his five-year MLB career. Over 65 games against New York, Guerrero is batting .289/.346/.518 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI.

Kicking off a weekend series at Yankee Stadium on Friday, Guerrero will no doubt be looking to do even more damage against the Jays' AL East rival.

Guerrero is off to a solid start to the 2023 season. Entering Friday's action, the two-time All-Star has gone 25-for-74 at the plate with three home runs, nine RBI and nine walks. However, his contract looms large over the Blue Jays.

Last September, Guerrero said he was open to a long-term extension with the team, hoping to get something done during the offseason. But the winter months came and went without a deal.

Guerrero ultimately inked a one-year, $14.5 million contract with Toronto, avoiding arbitration. He has two arbitration years remaining before becoming eligible for free agency in 2026.

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