MLB News: Top 5 Extension Candidates Once Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Contract is Official

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J.P. Hoornstra writes and edits Major League Baseball content. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers in California, J.P. covered MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels (occasionally of Anaheim) from 2012-23 for the Southern California News Group. His first book, The 50 Greatest Dodgers Games of All-Time, published in 2015. In 2016, he won an Associated Press Sports Editors award for breaking news coverage. He once recorded a keyboard solo on the same album as two of the original Doors. 

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The pending 14-year, $500 million extension for Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. raised the bar for contract extensions in MLB to new heights. Although the two sides have agreed to terms of the deal pending a physical, it has yet to be officially announced by the Jays.

More news: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays Finalize $500 Million Extension: Reports

Who could be the next to re-sign with their current team?

Anthony Volpe Austin Wells New York Yankees
Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Anthony Volpe #11 after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 11, 2024... Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Newsweek Sports took a look at five of the players who have yet to become eligible for free agency that could be in line for a long-term extension — and the potential hurdles to getting it done.

  1. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates

    Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is perhaps the active player most underpaid relative to the value of his contract — and his value to his franchise. The Pirates re-signed Skenes in March to a one-year, $875,000 contract for 2025.

    Already one of the best pitchers in baseball at age 22, Skenes has made 25 starts and recorded a 1.46 ERA (220 ERA+) since his May 2024 debut. What could possibly hold back the Pirates from showing Skenes the bank?

    In a word: money.

    Owner Bob Nutting has drawn scorn from fans for not investing more in player payroll, which has never ranked higher than 20th in the 30-team league, and never featured an Opening Day payroll at $100 million or more under his tenure.

    If the Pirates were ever to take on the risk that comes with extending a pitcher's contract, Skenes is a sensible candidate. He's a generational player who might need powerful convincing to sign long-term with a team that hasn't reached the postseason in a decade.

  2. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays

    The 21-year-old infielder, a consensus Top-5 prospect a year ago, is still barely scratching the surface of his potential with the Rays.

    As a 20-year-old at Triple-A last year, Caminero compiled an .828 OPS, then went 14 for 33 (.424) in 10 Dominican Winter League games. He's 7 for 28 (.250) with a double in eight big league games this year, but has the potential to step into the shoes formerly reserved for Wander Franco — whose MLB career is likely over after he was found to be in a relationship with a 14-year-old in the Dominican Republic.

    Caminero's ceiling might not be as high. But if they can void Franco's contract in light of the criminal charges against him, the Rays should have some money to spend.

  3. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

    The reigning National League leader in stolen bases, De La Cruz is considered one of the best pure athletes in the game. Listed at 6-foot-5, the 25-year-old shortstop blends power (25 home runs last year) with his speed (67 steals) and grace in the field.

    The Reds receive revenue sharing by virtue of playing in one of MLB's smallest media markets. But they once gave Joey Votto a 10-year, $225 million contract extension to stay in Cincinnati. De La Cruz is the first homegrown player since Votto worthy of that kind of money.

    A long-term investment in De La Cruz would not only give the Reds' fan base a dynamic player to root for long-term, it would signal the team's commitment to winning.

  4. Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

    Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins recently mentioned Bichette in the same sentence as Guerrero among the players he wanted to re-sign for the long term. Toronto has agreed to deals with Guerrero and catcher Alejandro Kirk since then. Two down, one to go?

    Bichette, 27, entered the 2025 season with a career .290 batting average, 93 home runs, 56 stolen bases, and 343 RBIs since his 2019 debut — and that was after a down season in 2024. The shortstop hitting .286 with a .705 OPS (102 OPS+) in 10 games this season.

    Re-signing Bichette, who's eligible for free agency at the end of this season, would give Toronto a nucleus to build around for years. Toronto might have the money — but it might not have the appetite for risk if Bichette struggles at the plate and in the field for a second consecutive year.

  5. Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees

    Volpe, 23, has already put together back-to-back strong seasons in the field as the Yankees' primary shortstop; he won the American League Gold Glove Award in 2023. It's early, but he appears to have found his grove (.297/.366/.703 in nine games) at the plate in 2025.

    A top-10 prospect in MLB entering the 2023 season, Volpe would give the Yankees a franchise cornerstone at a key position if he re-signs for the long haul. But he might prefer to follow the path of captain Aaron Judge, who tested the free agent market before signing a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees in Dec. 2022.

Honorable mentions

The Baltimore Orioles have many talented young players who have helped them reach the playoffs the last two seasons. Among them, shortstop Gunnar Henderson is perhaps the most tantalizing extension candidate. Colton Cowser, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg or Adley Rutschman all deserve consideration as well. ... Angels shortstop Zach Neto, 24, and catcher Logan O'Hoppe, 25, could be solid players for a club that hasn't been able to develop a nucleus of homegrown players in more than a decade. ... Yankees catcher Austin Wells, 25, might not have the offensive potential of Volpe, but he similarly gives the Yankees a young building block at a key position. ... Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan can be a free agent in 2028 and is on a clear upward trajectory as an offensive star.

For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.

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About the writer

J.P. Hoornstra writes and edits Major League Baseball content. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers in California, J.P. covered MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels (occasionally of Anaheim) from 2012-23 for the Southern California News Group. His first book, The 50 Greatest Dodgers Games of All-Time, published in 2015. In 2016, he won an Associated Press Sports Editors award for breaking news coverage. He once recorded a keyboard solo on the same album as two of the original Doors. 

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J.P. Hoornstra writes and edits Major League Baseball content. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers ... Read more