Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has not started the 2025 MLB season well. Hitting just .256 through 10 games, the four-time All-Star has also struggled with RISP, going 2-for-9 in those spots.

Unable to reach a contract extension with Toronto this offseason, Guerrero is in the final season of his deal. The right-handed slugger is reportedly seeking $500 million in present value, not in deferrals (via Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic).

If Toronto is unwilling to offer that much, many have speculated the New York Mets and owner Steve Cohen would meet Guerrero’s asking price in free agency.

While this is a reasonable expectation, considering Cohen just signed outfielder Juan Soto to an MLB-record contract worth $765 million, Jon Heyman of the New York Post shut down this idea last month.

“Despite the speculation and the Mets’ well-stocked cash drawer, folks don’t believe they’d be the one to pay that,” Heyman wrote. “People around the game don’t see Mets honcho David Stearns spending that much money on a slugging first baseman — even a young one.”

Heyman followed this with another report on Wednesday that “it will be an upset now” if the Blue Jays do no re-sign Guerrero, even amid the Mets speculation.

Following this news, Guerrero was asked about the cheers he received from Mets fans during the team’s home opener on Friday. Despite New York fans being known for creating a hostile environment for opposing players, the Mets crowd was quite friendly to the impending free agent (via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com).

“To be honest with you, that’s normal for me,” Guerrero admitted. “I’ve never been booed in any other stadium. Everybody always has been nice to me everywhere I go.”