Two things that fans of the Toronto Blue Jays never want to see in the same sentence are “trade” and “Vladimir Guerrero Jr.”
Especially when it comes in a post from the team’s social media accounts starting with “OFFICIAL” in all-caps.
But Vladdy was the one doing the dealing in Boston.
The red-hot slugger made a trade of his own, swapping an autographed baseball with a fan for a Toronto Maple Leafs hat.
The exchange at Fenway Park occurred during Monday night’s tilt, which the Blue Jays won 7-3 to complete a two-win day in Beantown. Earlier in the afternoon, the visitors triumphed in the completion of a suspended game from earlier this season.
Guerrero posed with his new hat for social media and joked that he wants his own hockey jersey, similar to the ones the team made for George Springer as a fan giveaway last month.
“I need my own hockey jersey, like my friend George Springer,” Guerrero Jr. said.
The two teammates might share a love for the fast game on ice: Springer is a lifelong hockey fan having grown up close to the Hartford Civic Center and attended Whalers games with his dad while Guerrero Jr. was born in Montreal while his dad played for the Expos.
Fans on social media loved the playful trade, with many quick to joke about the Leafs’ bad luck spreading to the star.
“It’s too late. He touched it. The curse has been spread. So much for the win streak,” one Instagram user commented.
“No wonder you guy choke all the time,” another wrote.
“Don’t wear it! It’s bad luck!” a third user begged.
Others, however, weren’t big fans of the “official” announcement, hoping the team had worked out a long-term deal with Guerrero, who will become a free agent after the 2025 season.
“How about we make his next contract official? I know I’d be down for that lol,” one user replied.
“Unless it’s official: 12 years 300M I do not wanna see official next to his name,” another wrote.