Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays have discussed a long-term contract extension but the all-star first baseman says the negotiations didn’t find common ground.

In a brief interview ahead of the club’s home opener Tuesday, the 24-year-old slugger reiterated that he “would love to be here my entire career” but talks “haven't reached the point that there's something serious about it.”

“We're good right now,” he continued through interpreter Hector Lebron, adding later that the discussions not leading to a deal “isn’t going to cause me any stress. I'm going to take care of what I've got to take care of, which is on the field, and the rest I'm going to leave to my agents to work with. I know who I am. I know my value. We're going to keep having conversations, but all my focus every day is here on the field.”

Guerrero, the 2021 runner-up for AL MVP off to a hot start batting .439/.510/.610 heading into Tuesday’s play, is earning $14.5 million this season in his second year of arbitration eligibility.

The Blue Jays have him under contractual control for the next two years after this one, so there is lots of time remaining for the sides to get a deal done. But the closer players get to free agency the more difficult it becomes to keep them from the open market, especially given that on his current trajectory, Guerrero is looking at salaries in the neighbourhood of $20 million next year and $25 million in 2025, if not higher, in his final two years of arbitration.