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Blue Jays Secure Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with Landmark 14-Year Extension
The Toronto Blue Jays and star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have reached a monumental agreement on a long-term contract, ensuring the gifted player remains with the team for the foreseeable future. The finalized deal, a significant move for the MLB franchise, is reported to be a 14-year contract valued at $500 million.
Record-Setting Contract Details Emerge
Early Monday reports indicate that both parties have agreed to the substantial contract, pending a routine physical examination. Crucially, sources at ESPN reveal the entire $500 million is guaranteed without deferred payments. This lucrative contract for Guerrero Jr. is slated to commence in 2026, following his previously agreed one-year, $28.5 million arbitration-avoiding contract from January, according to The Associated Press.
Among Baseball’s Richest Deals
This agreement ranks among the most valuable contracts in the history of baseball. It trails only Juan Soto’s $765 million deal over 15 years with the New York Mets and Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the latter of which includes considerable deferred compensation.
Guerrero Jr., aged 26, tallied 30 home runs for the Blue Jays in the prior season. Despite a current slow start to the 2025 season without a home run yet, this contract announcement arrives shortly after the Blue Jays were swept in a three-game series against Soto and the Mets in New York.
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This long-term commitment represents a strong declaration from the Blue Jays organization, signaling their determination to retain their key player and prevent him from entering free agency at the end of the upcoming season.
Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finalize agreement for him to remain with the team.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 26, commits to a 14-year, $500 million contract with the Blue Jays.
Guerrero’s Path to Agreement
Earlier in February, Guerrero publicly expressed his discontent with the progress of contract negotiations with the Blue Jays. He alerted Major League Baseball to his intention to explore free agency at the conclusion of 2025.
‘They presented their figures, and I had mine,’ Guerrero stated during spring training. ‘We could not reach an accord.’
‘This is a business matter, as I consistently say. These situations arise. Recently, the front office, my legal representatives, and agents convened. Both sides made efforts, but ultimately, we couldn’t finalize an agreement.’
However, even amidst these discussions, Guerrero maintained his desire to sign a long-term deal to remain in Toronto throughout his career, a wish that has now been fulfilled.
‘To be frank, I would not dismiss a realistic proposal,’ he mentioned. Ultimately, the Blue Jays’ management decided to meet his contract expectations.
The Blue Jays currently hold a 5-5 record following a challenging series against the Mets in New York. They stand one game behind both the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in the American League East division.
The Blue Jays are set to commence a four-game series against their divisional rivals, the Red Sox, in Boston on Monday evening.
World Series Ambitions Remain
Guerrero Jr., son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, is already a four-time All-Star. He has openly stated his strong desire to achieve a World Series championship.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would have been the most sought-after free agent if a new contract was not reached.
On the same February day he revealed the contract impasse with the Blue Jays, Guerrero remarked: ‘As you are aware, my father played professionally for many years. He never attained a World Series title.’
‘My personal aspiration is to win a World Series and present the championship ring to my father.’
If that aspiration is realized, it will be with the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada. The franchise previously secured World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.