The first basemen has been in the Blue Jays system for his whole career and has become its main star since debuting in 2019 at the age of 20.
The front office of the organisation and Guerrero were both interviewed by reporters in Florida ahead of spring training with both parties admitting the contract talks never got close to being finalised.
Speaking after the Monday deadline to seal a new deal, Guerrero said through an interpreter during the side’s first workout of the year: “I had my numbers and that had theirs.
“At the end of the day, I know my value and I will stick with it.”
Guerrero, who is a four-time all-star, a gold glover at first base, and a home run derby champion, was - according to Blue Jays GM Ros Atkins - offered a record-breaking deal for the baseball club, but he admitted that it was not enough to sway the Dominican Republic native.
Atkins explained: “We had a lot of dialogue, a lot of exchanges that felt constructive and productive. We learned a lot. We felt like they did as well. (It) went down to the wire."
This now means all 30 teams - including the Jays - can speak to Guerrero Jr at the end of the 2025 season, where he will be a high commodity for sides looking to win championships.
Both Atkins and Guerrero Jr did not rule out a deal in the future, but talks will not re-commence until after the end of the upcoming campaign for the AL East side.
Guerrero Jr added: “I want to be here. I want to be a Blue Jay for the rest of my career. But it's free agency. It's business. I'm going to have to listen to 29 more teams and they're going to have to compete.”
The Blue Jays finished last in the AL East in 2024 with a losing record of 74-88, and since missed out on the biggest free agent of the winter Juan Soto, who went to the New York Mets.
They begin Spring Training on Saturday against the New York Yankees whilst their regular season gets going at Rogers Centre in Toronto against AL East rivals the Baltimore Orioles.