Report: Blue Jays came close in Yelich race but wouldn't give up Guerrero Jr.

After the Milwaukee Brewers finalized a deal with the Miami Marlins for Christian Yelich, a report surfaced suggesting the Toronto Blue Jays were the only other team in contention for the outfielder. However, Toronto was unwilling to part with top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr., according to Craig Mish of Sirius XM.

While between 20 and 25 teams were in the hunt to acquire the star outfielder, the Brewers and Blue Jays separated themselves from the pack. Once the Marlins were informed Toronto wouldn't part with Guerrero, the Brewers became the lone front-runner, per Mish.

Guerrero, 18, is considered the top prospect in the Blue Jays' system. The third baseman was named baseball's third-best prospect by Baseball America and second-best by ESPN.

While the Blue Jays were willing to take on more salary in lieu of parting with their top prospect, the Brewers won out by throwing in Lewis Brinson, their top farmhand, as well as three other prospects.

In 48 games with High-A Dunedin, Guerrero posted a .333/.450/.494 slash line with six home runs and a pair of stolen bases. Along with his performance with Single-A Lansing, he earned ESPN's Prospect of the Year honor last season.

His father, Vladimir Guerrero, was elected into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday and will be part of a six-player class inducted this summer.

The Blue Jays have focused on acquiring outfielders throughout the offseason, agreeing to terms with Curtis Granderson and trading for Randal Grichuk.