On Thursday evening, the New York Yankees noticed firsthand why they need to contemplate buying and selling for Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., earlier than the deadline on July 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
Guerrero went 2-for-5 in a 9-2 victory over the Yankees and blasted a 371-foot residence run off of a 93 mph pitch from Phil Bickford within the backside of the sixth inning.
Regardless of the spectacular win, the Blue Jays in all probability will not make a run within the second half of the season. They’re final within the American League East, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by 13.5 games, and FanGraphs Baseball provides them a 4.6 percent chance to make the playoffs.
Guerrero is on a one-year, $19.9M deal however shall be arbitration-eligible in 2025. Throughout a Thursday look on CJCL-FM in Toronto, Blue Jays common supervisor Ross Atkins reiterated he needs to signal the 25-year-old slugger and shortstop Bo Bichette to multi-year offers as an alternative of buying and selling them.
The New York Submit’s Jon Heyman reported each Guerrero and Bichette “by no means got here shut” to an settlement in earlier contract negotiations. At this level, placing the celebs on the block and coming into rebuilding mode is sensible for the floundering Blue Jays.
All through his profession, three-time All-Star Guerrero has insisted he would by no means put on Yankee pinstripes. Apparently, he is softened this stance, as he recently told Virus Deportivo, “[I’d] be pleased to assist any crew.”
The Blue Jays might not need to commerce certainly one of their greatest gamers to a divisional rival, however that should not cease the Yankees from making an attempt to strike a deal.
New York’s lineup is far thinner after inserting first baseman Anthony Rizzo (forearm) on the 60-day injured checklist and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring pressure) on the 10-day IL.
The Yankees (52-31) have misplaced 4 straight video games and been outscored 33-12 throughout that span. Guerrero could also be a one-year rental, however he may present the assistance New York outfielders Juan Soto and Aaron Choose clearly want.