Here are 4 key reasons the Toronto Blue Jays refuse to meet the contract demands of Vladimir Guerrero Jr:

1. Mismatch in contract length & value
   Guerrero sought a 13–14‑year mega-deal (around $500 M+), but Toronto held firm with an offer near $340–350 M—well short of his expectations. Both sides stuck to their numbers, and he refused to negotiate during the season
2. Defensive and performance concerns
   Though Guerrero rebounded in 2024, the front office remained cautious due to earlier defensive inconsistencies and offensive slumps. They were hesitant to fully invest long-term at the risk of future decline .
3. Luxury tax & roster flexibility
   A mega‑deal would push Toronto near or over luxury tax thresholds, limiting their ability to fill other needs. They prioritized financial balance over locking huge sums in one player .
4. Strategic “wait-and-see” stance
   Management believes Guerrero’s best contract might come in free agency, post-season, or after further negotiations. They’d rather risk losing him than overpay now, and have indicated flexibility to revisit talks—but not on his terms .

In summary, the standoff isn’t personal—it boils down to length/value disparities, evaluations of long-term performance, financial prudence, and a strategic posture by the Blue Jays. Whether this results in a reunion later or leads to a high-stakes free agency showdown remains to be seen.