Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is seeking one of the biggest contracts in baseball history.
And in the other corner, the Toronto Blue Jays are saying all the right things.
But the reality is, Toronto fans want to know whether Guerrero is sticking around for the long run, and fans of other MLB franchises wonder whether he could soon be joining them instead.
That’s what makes one word that Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro told The Athletic on Thursday a particularly interesting one.
“The optimism is founded in the commonality of our position,” Shapiro said. “It’s nothing more than that. It’s not based on any new information, not on anything that’s transpired. It’s founded upon the fact that he wants to finish his career in a Blue Jays uniform, and we want him to be one of those rare players who sign (as an amateur), come to the big leagues and then play their whole career in one uniform.”
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“Optimism” is one of those words that is more feel than hard evidence. It’s a stance Shapiro can’t afford to not take.
The Blue Jays have to be realistic, of course, especially when $500 million or more is on the line. But they also have to approach the face of their franchise in the best way.
That way is optimism, about Vladdy’s future and the team’s future and the economics of it all. It surely is the only way to get a deal done.
Earlier Thursday, Shapiro expressed “optimism” in more words when speaking with Canadian media: “I think we’re going to sign him. I think we’re going to extend him.”
Blue Jays fans sure hope so. They don’t want to lose their optimism, their hope, either.
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