Guerrero Jr. remains in high demand as contract talks with the Blue Jays continue.

Although Vladimir Guerrero’s 22-game hitting streak came to an end in Sunday’s loss to the Oakland Athletics, the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman’s hot stretch elevated him to rarefied air.

During the stretch, Guerrero hit.494/.558/.1.025 with 10 home runs, 22 RBI, and 24 runs scored. He became the only player since 1937 to have 35 or more hits, ten or more doubles, ten or more home runs, and ten or more walks in 20 games. Only Babe Ruth Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio had accomplished the feat before Guerrero.

TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips believes the Blue Jays will need to

His extension will require him to go deep into his purse.

“He’s quite young. He’s only 25 years old. I believe it will ultimately be a ten-year contract. “I believe the term will be critical,” Phillips remarked on TSN Overdrive. “The dollar amount will be determined by the length of the contract. He intends to shoot for $30 million every year. Miguel Cabrera is the only first baseman with an average annual value of $30 million or higher. I believe it will cost between $25 and $30 million each year for at least ten years.

“You cannot lose him. You need a centrepiece. Top-tier free agents are difficult to entice to sign with Toronto. I’d sign him. If it takes $30 million per year for 10 or 11 years, I’ll go there to get it done. I believe it is the right move for the Blue Jays at this moment.

Phillips also emphasised the importance of the front office engaging Guerrero in conversations in order to keep him from becoming a free agent.

“It’s incumbent upon the Blue Jays to engage him early,” he told reporters. They need to start discussing as soon as the season concludes and close the deal. This off-season is crucial because once you begin playing

Again, he may as well wait. They have to get it done and accept that it will not be a comfortable contract. If you want him, you have to get him now because the price will only rise after he enters free agency. Phillips likened Guerrero’s future contract to that of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (six years/$127 million, $27 million AAV) and Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson (eight years/$168 million, $21 million AAV).

Guerrero is now hitting.319 on the season, with 23 home runs and 76 RBI, and is on track to have his best season since 2021, when he hit 48 home runs and finished second in the American League MVP vote to Shohei Ohtani. He ranks ninth in

the American League in Offensive Wins Above Replacement (4.5), fourth in batting average (.319), sixth in OPS (.934), and second in hits (144), trailing Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr Phillips feels Guerrero has made some changes at the plate and will continue to be an excellent hitter for the rest of the season.

“I believe he’ll be a high-level hitter for the rest of the season. His confidence is so much higher right now. Phillips stated Monday that his complexion, posture, and everything about him appears to exude confidence.

Guerrero’s six-year career includes 153 home runs, 480 RBI, and 446 runs scored, as well as a.285/.360/.498 batting line. He is a four-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove winner and one-time Silver Slugger.