As this offseason continues to heat up, some thoughts are emerging about what could unfold next winter. One major topic could be the free agency of first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. His current team, the Toronto Blue Jays, would love to keep him, and many other teams across Major League Baseball would too. However, according to MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds, the player known as “Vladdy” may be heading to the Los Angeles Angels.
“Yankees breaking through? Vladdy to the Angels?” posted MLB Network’s official account on X, formerly Twitter. “#MLBNHotStove makes some predictions ⬇️”
If Guerrero Jr. joins the Angels, it would resemble his father’s free agent move, as Vladimir Guerrero Sr. left the Montreal Expos for the Angels in the early 2000s and had a highly successful stint in Los Angeles. Vladdy Jr. has become one of the best at his position and has MVP potential, just like his father. Could a move from Toronto to Southern California help him reach the next level in his career? It’s a possibility to watch for come next offseason.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Angels could be good match next winter
The 2024 season was the best Guerrero Jr. has had since his standout 2021 campaign, and the timing couldn’t have been better, with a WAR of 6.2.
He posted a remarkable .323 batting average, hitting 30 home runs and driving in 103 RBIs. If he has another season like 2024 in 2025, Vladdy could be in for a significant pay raise. Could the Angels, under GM Perry Minasian, be the team to offer him that deal?
Angels owner Arte Moreno has handed out large contracts in the past, though it’s been a few years since he’s made a major splash in free agency.
The last big signing was third baseman Anthony Rendon, who received a seven-year deal after the 2019 season. That move, widely considered one of the worst contracts in team and MLB history, raises the question: Would it be wise for the Angels to invest heavily in Guerrero Jr.?
For Los Angeles, it would make sense—particularly if Vladdy returns to his form from 2021 and 2024. He would provide the best lineup support for franchise player Mike Trout since Shohei Ohtani’s departure. Guerrero Jr. would also follow in his father’s footsteps once again, and his star could shine brighter in Los Angeles.
Moreover, postseason success with the Angels would carry significant weight. For a player with dreams of achieving greatness, wouldn’t the allure of the biggest stage draw him to LA? It would hardly be surprising if that were the case.
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