The Manifestation of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Anaheim
Feb 16, 2025 - Written by Zac Holladay
Photo Credit : @MLBTradeRumors - X
On January 14th, 2004, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. signed a 5 year, $70 million dollar contract with the Anaheim Angels, with an option for a 6th year. With the Angels having a brutal hangover after winning the World Series in 2002, only winning 77 games in 2003, the team needed a new spark of offense. The offense was obviously lacking in the power department with not one player hitting over 30 home runs. With the hopes of Guerrero evening out the lack of power, he did so and more. Vladimir Guerrero spent the next 6 years with the Angels and asserted immediate dominance, including three 30 homer seasons, averaging about 103 runs batted in a year, and won the MVP in the first year with the club. Guerrero was forced to be reckoned with out west as the Angels reached the Postseason in 5 out of the 6 years he was on the squad. He retired as one of the best Angels to put on the white and red and his legacy lives forever in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. But what if the Angels kept the Guerrero name in Anaheim?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has spent the first 6 years of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays and he has performed like the top prospect he came up to be. His shelf is stacked up with 4 All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove, 2 Silver Sluggers, and came up short of the 2021 MVP honors, finishing in 2nd. His power numbers are extremely impressive as he has been displayed as the primary source of power for the Blue Jays. Guerrero Jr. has not only been a very reliable bat, but he has stayed on the field and been allergic to injuries. He is a guy that will play everyday as he has played virtually every game since being brought up to the Majors. So, with an overall scouting report, Guerrero is a fantastic fielder who displayed immense power and average who never gets injured. What else could you ask for from the 1st/3rd basemen?
After the 2025 season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will become a free agent. Many will be targeting the superstar as he looks to sign a major contract north of $450 million. It is possible for teams to trade for Guerrero before he hits the market, but the haul that is desired from Toronto would be a tall mark to reach. Teams that will look to target Guerrero Jr. this year will consist of teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and possibly the Toronto Blue Jays eyeing a return.
Along with those teams, the Angels will definitely be in the hunt for the Canadian-born slugger. And while they may not be the first team you would think of to be of Guerrero Jr. 's suitors, they would be a very good fit for him and a team that he could have a strong desire for. As previously mentioned, his dad, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. played his best baseball and was a legend for the Angels back in the early 2000’s. He has connections with the team in that way and it holds a special place in the heart of the family. But other than family connections, why would he want to play for Los Angeles and not elsewhere?
The current state of the Toronto Blue Jays is a massive question mark at the moment. Although, despite the low morale over the past few years, they have made significant moves this offseason by signing former Cy-Young SP Max Scherzer, Silver Slugger OF Anthony Santander, RP Yimi Garcia and trading for Gold Glove 2B Andrés Giménez. While this team got better and is projected to perform at a higher level in 2025, the future of the team has many questions that look to be answered this next offseason or even this season. Star SS Bo Bichette has taken a step back from his career as he only played in half a season in 2024 and failed to meet expectations. These two players, Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, may decide the direction that the Blue Jays take as the rest of the team consists of solid pieces and role players. Both debuted in 2019 and grew into the co-faces of the franchise. Guerrero Jr. has already rejected one contract extension from Toronto and may be hesitant to re-sign with them if the price isn’t right. And if Bichette is sent somewhere during the season or signs elsewhere next offseason, then that may lead to a new team for Vladimir also. One big factor is whether the Blue Jays are interested in paying him what he wants, because there is no doubt Toronto likes Guerrero Jr. and what he has to offer.
On the open market, there are plenty of better rosters around the league that can back up Vlad if he signs with them. But here are the three reasons why the Angels can compete with the other teams and manifest the signing of Guerrero:
Angels will give him the contract he wants and deserves. In the past, Angels owner Arte Moreno has given out some poor contracts, but this shows that he will spend when he eyes a certain player. He had an eye for 3B Anthony Rendon and he locked him up for 7 years and gave him $245 million. But with the connection that Guerrero Jr. has with the Angels and his dad, there should be no reason not to attack a player of Vlad’s stature.
The young core that the Angels have will only get better to back up Guerrero. The offense of the Angels on paper isn’t at an elite level, but it will be. The potential that their new, young core has to be Angel greats can only help the case of dragging Vlad out to Anaheim. He wouldn’t be worried about being the face of the team as he would be stuck in a talented lineup of multiple consistent contributors. If the Halos display their talents and content for a playoff spot in 2025, their case should be as good as any.
The Angels could use an upgrade at first base. Nolan Schanuel has taken the position in a possibly temporary situation as he hasn’t shown the talent that the team believes he has. His average and power is decent, but an upgrade to that position would bolster the already impressive lineup.
On the other hand, the Angels obviously need a player like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in their lineup. He had shown in 2024 that he can hit for a high power rate and for a high average. Guerrero Jr. hit .323 with 199 hits last year which was top 3 in the league in both categories. Those stats show that Vladimir is far more valuable than most due to his ability to hit for power and average at a high rate. For the Angels, they haven’t found a guy to have a steady average. This just adds to the value that he would bring to the Angels ballclub.
Overall, there are numerous motivations for the Angels to sign and attain Vladimir Guerrero Jr. next winter. The competition will be extremely heavy, but the drive in the Angels organization should be firing on all cylinders to acquire such talent. The Blue Jays haven’t shown that they are serious enough to extend Guerrero Jr. and he has shown interest in testing out the market this November. If the Angels haven’t shown much movement in spending on major players up to this point for any reason, this has to be it. Guerrero Jr. has shown that he can lead a team and can exhibit many tools for other teams to oppose. This guy has the likes of a Hall-of-Famer and he should have his plaque placed right next to his fathers with the Angels HOFers.
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