Best advised to enjoy the Vladdy experience, it could end sooner than expected

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As his stature within baseball continues to skyrocket, the amount of money likely to be attached to any long-term deal involving Vladimir Guerrero Jr., is approaching the financial equivalent of the stratosphere.

With one year left in arbitration before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026, Guerrero remains the biggest question the Blue Jays franchise must address on a list that appears as long as his recent 22-game hit streak.

He plays a position, first base, not always synonymous with mega-earnings and yet it’s hard to quantify what Vladdy  means to the organization, both on and off the diamond. He’s the face of the franchise, a box-office attraction, a corporate magnet, but he can’t do it all by himself, though there are times when it appears he’s capable of shouldering just about anything.

In a hypothetical world where a mega-deal with term is presented to Guerrero, it can’t be assured that enough money will still be available to essentially restock a bullpen, add at least one starter and, at minimum, two power bats.

Under such a scenario, the chances of retaining Bo Bichette, who has resumed baseball activity in Florida following his latest calf setback, are slim to none.

When the Jays’ front office dissects Vlad Jr.’s recent ascension into the ranks of some of the game’s iconic players, how much does it take into account the team’s losing record and how so little pressure has been on this roster since its  eight trades leading up to MLB’s deadline were completed.

When the Jays concluded their three-game series sweep of the host L.A. Angels on Wednesday night, Guerrero had a three-hit game, which included hitting his 25th home run of the season.

He had 26 in 2023, 32 in ’22 and a career-high 48 during his breakout season in 2021 when he finished second to Shohei Ohtani in AL MVP voting.

Since his career-tying hit streak came to an end Sunday in a home loss to the Oakland A’s, Vladdy enters this weekend’s series in Chicago against the Cubs on a three-game hit streak.

During his extended streak, he slashed .494/.558/1.025 with 10 home runs, knocked in 22 runs and scored 24.

Baseball is inundated with numbers, some of which have absolutely no meaning, some reflecting real importance and others open to interpretation. When looking at Vladdy’s 20-game window, he became the first player since 1937 to have 35 or more hits, 10 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 10 or more walks over that stretch.

Players who reached such rarefied air during a 20-game span is a baseball who’s who in Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio.

At the same time, Vlad Jr., plays the game with a youthful spirit that can, occasionally be a detriment, such as being thrown trying to steal third base with no one out, or as happened in the series finale in Anaheim, he was thrown out trying to go from second to third, even though the ball was hit right in front of him.

But these days, at the plate, he is attacking every pitch like so few in baseball. His at-bats have become must-see, an air of anticipation accompanying him when he makes his way from the on-deck circle.

At the same time, there’s nothing to play for and so little at stake for a Blue Jays team that has gone so young that Vladdy, who doesn’t turn 26 until next March, is a greybeard by comparison.

Will Wagner getting a hit in his first at-bat in the bigs, one of five in two games, Bowden Francis going a career-high seven innings when he allowed only one hit, Leo Jimenez showing signs he can handle the shortstop position, there have been some pleasant developments.

Toss in Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz, even a resurgence of sorts from Alejandro Kirk. Joey Loperfido ended his 0-for-24 slide, while Daulton Varsho had a big night at the plate Wednesday. Addison Barger is getting more playing time.

Franchise-altering decisions await the Blue Jays, whose only goal for the balance of the season is to get as close as possible to the .500 level, while providing as much as playing time to the many youthful pieces.

Bichette has suddenly been pushed even deeper into the background because he hasn’t been seen on the field and when he was seen the one-time face of the franchise struggled, oozing a body language indicating a change in scenery would be welcome.

And then there’s Vlad, whose story will get worrisome until some kind of clarity is reached. In the meantime, it’s best to enjoy the experience knowing it’s anyone’s guess how long this will last.

In a baseball world where nothing is set in stone, it’s best advised to prepare for life without Vlad Jr., as grim as that might be at the moment.