‘Monumental Moment:’ Blue Jays ink Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to long-term deal
Photo Credit: Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
Since Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets in December, the focus shifted to baseball’s next biggest star due for a massive pay raise. Next up was Toronto Blue Jays power hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had witnessed the likes of Soto, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani all recently cash in on some of the largest contracts the sport had ever seen.
After agreeing to a one-year, $28.5 million contract in January, Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration and gave the sides more time to work on a longer-term deal for the first baseman. Guerrero Jr. was adamant that he wouldn’t negotiate a new deal once he reported to spring training in February.
Spring training came and no deal was to be found.
This left many fans wondering if the Blue Jays would trade their franchise cornerstone before he could hit the open market and leave for free.
Following an offseason where the Blue Jays narrowly missed out on some of the biggest names in free agency, Soto, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, and Teoscar Hernandez, the Toronto faithful were losing hope in re-signing the two-time Silver Slugger and former Home Run Derby champ.
Late last Sunday night, after the weekend’s games concluded. a report surfaced that Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays were finalizing a contract extension. At 12:14 AM on Monday, April 7, MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal posted on X that the deal was over the finish line.
Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million contract that starts in 2026. The deal includes a record $325 million signing bonus with no opt-outs or deferrals. The 26-year-old’s contract is the third-most expensive deal in MLB history, $265 million behind Soto and $200 million behind Ohtani. The annual value of $35.71 million ranks eighth among current players.
The Blue Jays made the deal official on Wednesday with a press conference at Rogers Centre scheduled for Monday when the team returns home from their 10-game road trip.
“If I tell you that it’s not a big relief, I’d be lying to you,” said Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before Wednesday’s game in Boston. “It’s always been my goal to be here. And I feel like I accomplished that, and I’m very, very happy to stay here and to be a Blue Jay.”
Guerrero Jr. has been in the Blue Jays’ system since he was 16, signing as an international free agent on July 2, 2015. Four years later, he made his major league debut for the Blue Jays on April 26, 2019.
Son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Guerrero Jr. has made a name for himself in his first seven big league seasons. Across 832 games, Guerrero Jr. has a .288 career average with 160 home runs, 511 RBI, and a 21.7 WAR.
“Just so powerful for the organization,” said Ross Atkins, Blue Jays general manager. “I think it is monumental for Toronto and the game. A historic deal for what will be a historic player. I think he’s just getting started. He’s already done tremendous things thus far as an individual and with his team. He’s going to continue to do those things.”
“This is a monumental moment in franchise history,” said Mark Shapiro, Blue Jays president. “Vlad has been part of our Blue Jays family since he was 16 years old and has captured the heart of our city and country.”
Guerrero Jr. is still looking for his first home run of the season but is hitting .288 with 15 hits and four RBI in 52 plate appearances. The Blue Jays are also looking for their first playoff win with the 26-year-old on the roster. Guerrero Jr. is winless in six playoff games with the Blue Jays.
With a new 15-year, $500 million contract freshly signed, Guerrero Jr. will have plenty of time to hit home runs and make playoff magic happen for the Blue Jays.
