Latest Vladimir Guerrero Jr revelation is only confirmation Cubs won't be signing him

The Chicago Cubs are in a "win-now" mode for the 2025 season, and if the team gets off to a hot start, they likely will be among the aggressive buyers at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline this season.

One name that may be at the top of the trade market this summer is Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Cubs have loosely been connected to Guerrero over the last year with a report last season suggesting that the front office was exploring a potential trade.

After stalled negotiations with the Blue Jays this offseason, Guerrero will undoubtedly become a free agent next winter. In speaking with ESPN, Guerrero provided some insight into what his asking price will be next offseason.

"It's much less than Soto. We're talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less. ... It was the same number of years [as Soto's contract], but it didn't reach [$600 million]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn't reach 600," Guerrero told ESPN.

Vladimir Guerrero is not seeking Juan Soto money but still isn't in the Cubs' range

As a refresher, Juan Soto inked a 15-year deal with the New York Mets this offseason worth $765MM. Even if, as Guerrero indicated, his asking price was less than $600MM, the fact it was the same amount of years means it likely wasn't far from that price point.

There is a scenario where the Blue Jays are out of contention by the time July rolls around and the Cubs come calling. For two months of Guerrero, the asking price at the Trade Deadline likely will be far less than what it would have been this offseason.

But one thing that can likely be ruled out is the idea of the Cubs signing Guerrero next offseason. Even if there was an inclination from Tom Ricketts to open his wallet and allow baseball operations to spend at the top of the market, Jed Hoyer's front office has made it clear they aren't in the business of deferrals or long-term deals. Those philosophies will all but take the Cubs out of the running for Guerrero once he hits free agency.