Vladdy softens stance on potentially playing with Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is now open to playing for the Yankees after repeatedly saying that he’d never suit up for New York during his career.

“I’m a worker, I’m a professional, and I go out on the field to play,” Guerrero said Monday, according to Spanish outlet Virus Deportivo. “… I don’t hold back what I said about the Yankees, but what I say is that the organization understands me.

“I sat down to talk with my dad, with my family, and that’s that,” Guerrero continued. “… Like I tell you, I’m a player and if a team picks me or if they do something, it’s because they need me, obviously, and I’ll be happy to help any team. But right now, I’m just focused on helping my team and trying to get out of this bad streak.”

In November 2022, Guerrero said he “would never sign with the Yankees, not even dead.” The 2021 AL MVP runner-up then doubled down in April 2023, saying “That’s my decision, and I will never change that.”

However, the slumping Blue Jays enter Tuesday’s action 16 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees and 7.5 out of the final wild-card spot. New York also needs an upgrade at first base with underperforming veteran Anthony Rizzo out due to a broken arm.

Guerrero, who is eligible to test free agency after the 2025 campaign, has 10 homers with 36 RBIs and a 131 wRC+ over 78 games this season. The 25-year-old owns a career .272/.333/.576 slash line with 13 dingers and 24 RBIs over 39 contests at Yankee Stadium.

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