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SPORTS Wednesday 19 February 2025
Guerrero plans to become free agent after season, fails to reach

long-term deal with Blue Jays

By CHRIS NELSEN kins thinks the team made
Associated Press fair proposals.
DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir "The offers we made for Vlad
Guerrero Jr. plans to become would have been record-
a free agent after the season setting and made him one
following the passing of his of the highest-paid players in
deadline Tuesday to reach the game," Atkins said. "We
a long-term agreement with were, in our view, very ag-
the Toronto Blue Jays. gressive."
"Listen, I want to be here. I Guerrero's father, Vladimir
want to be a Blue Jay for Guerrero, is a Hall of Famer
the rest of my career," the and nine-time All-Star who
four-time All-Star first base- was voted the 2004 AL MVP.
man said through translator Toronto players hope their
Hector Lebron at Blue Jays teammate's contract situ-
camp. "But it's free agency. ation doesn't become a
It's business. I'm going to constant focus during the
have to listen to 29 more season.
teams and they're going to "We know, without a doubt,
have to compete for that." he's a Blue Jay this year,"
Guerrero has a $28.5 million, pitcher Kevin Gausman said.
one-year contract and will "I'm sure it could be a distrac-
be perhaps the top free tion, but I'm not too worried
agent on the market one Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. takes batting practice during spring training about that. I think Vladdy is
year after Juan Soto signed baseball workouts in Dunedin Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. Associated Press focused on going out and
a record $765 million, 15-year playing baseball."
contract with the New York Guerrero had said during couldn't get a deal done," his big league debut in 2019 Guerrero appeared to be in
Mets. Guerrero, who turns the offseason he would cut Blue Jays president Mark Sha- and has a .288 average, .863 good spirits when practice
26 next month, said his last off negotiations when he piro said. "When you go into OPS, 160 homers and 507 RBs. began Tuesday, laughing
communication with the reported for spring training. a negotiation, each side has "I'll do anything, everything and smiling with his team-
team came around 10:30 "I don't want, especially my rational for a number. In this I have, to stay here with the mates. As Guerrero was
p.m. Monday and the two teammates, to go through case, we couldn't align on Blue Jays," Guerrero said. preparing for running drills,
sides never came close to any distractions about that," a common number. There's "I love it here. I want to be a fan from Toronto yelled: "I'd
a deal. "I have my number Guerrero said. "I'm here to- no such thing as close or here. I'm not thinking about write you a blank check if I
all along," Guerrero said. "I day and I'm ready. I want to not close. There's done or free agency. I won't be think- had the money."
changed it a little bit. I tried, win a lot of games and I want not done." ing about free agency at all Toronto expects to make
but it still didn't happen." to make it to the playoffs. Shapiro maintained the team during the season." offers to Guerrero as a free
"I know my value," he add- That's all that's in my head will not entertain trade offers Shapiro, team chairman agent after the World Series.
ed. "I didn't see the front of- right now." for Guerrero. Edward Rogers and Rogers "We are certainly positioned
fice moving to my number. Guerrero hit .323 last season "Our only focus now is win- Communications Inc. CEO well," Shapiro said. "We have
It wasn't the number I was with a .940 OPS, 30 homers ning with Vladdy," he said. Tony Staffieri were involved the financial wherewithal
looking for. Unfortunately, it and 103 RBIs. Guerrero came up through in the negotiations. to pursue the contracts we
didn't happen." "We're disappointed we the Toronto system, made General manager Ross At- want to pursue."q

Bruins D Charlie McAvoy is out and Canucks’ Quinn
Hughes is in for U.S. in 4 Nations final vs. Canada

By JIMMY GOLEN hockey players to the interna- would mean one more U.S.
AP Sports Writer tional stage after they missed defenseman would have to
BOSTON (AP) — The United the last two Winter Olympics. be ruled out. The rules allow
States didn't have to sacri- Hughes, 25, was a first-round them to apply for emergency
fice much when looking for a draft choice who joined the relief on an "as needed" basis,
replacement for injured de- Canucks after two years at an application that would be
fenseman Charlie McAvoy in Michigan, where he was a considered by tournament
the 4 Nations Face-Off final: finalist for the Hobey Baker chairs Bill Daly and Rob Zepp.
Reigning Norris Trophy winner Award as a sophomore. He "Right now, we're just taking
Quinn Hughes was ready to had career highs of 17 goals each day as it comes," Sul- Canada's Connor McDavid (97) scores on United States goal-
step in. and 75 assists for Vancouver livan said. "We'll see what tender Connor Hellebuyck (37) as United States' Charlie McA-
U.S. coach Mike Sullivan said last season, when he was the potential options might be voy (25) looks on during first period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey
Tuesday that Hughes was on runaway winner of the award available for us for the cham- action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
his way to Boston to be avail- that for the NHL's top defen- pionship game and then we'll Associated Press
able when the Americans seman and finished seventh make decisions accordingly to the American team whose TD Garden, the Bruins' home
play Canada in the cham- in voting for the Hart Trophy from there." big hits on Canadian stars ice.
pionship game. Hughes has that goes to the league MVP. A 27-year-old Boston Univer- Connor McDavid and Sidney The Bruins announced on
missed the Canucks' last four According to the 4 Nations sity product and top Bruins Crosby were credited with Tuesday that he was admit-
games and was a last minute rules, the Americans can defenseman who has twice setting a tone in the round ted to Massachusetts General
scratch from the international only add him to the roster finished in the top five of the robin matchup between the Hospital on Monday night
tournament, which marks if they drop below six "able- Norris Trophy voting, McAvoy North Americans. Thursday's with an unspecified upper
the return of the world's best bodied" defenseman; that had been a key contributor championship will be at the body injury. q