Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says he is all the time going to recollect this present day.
Pals, household, teammates and members of the group’s entrance workplace joined him at Rogers Centre for a celebratory information convention Monday after he signed a 14-year contract extension value $500 million US.
“I might [always] take into consideration this since I signed right here,” Guerrero mentioned in a packed media convention room. “I would all the time suppose, ‘I’ll be a Blue Jay without end,’ and that is what occurred at present.
“Now we did it and I’ll be a Blue Jay without end.”
Information that the 2 sides had agreed to a deal first broke per week in the past. The Blue Jays confirmed the signing final Wednesday when the group was on the street.
Guerrero is a homegrown face of the franchise who has been one of many sport’s extra impactful gamers since making his big-league debut in 2019.
He completed second in American League MVP voting in 2021. The four-time all-star was sixth in final yr’s vote.
Guerrero’s extension kicks in subsequent yr and can final by way of the 2039 marketing campaign when he’ll be 40 years previous.
WATCH | Breaking down Guerrero Jr.’s report extension with Blue Jays:
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a report breaking 14-year, $500 million extension. CBC’s Greg Ross breaks down the small print of the historic contract and Guerrero’s response.
“That is an extremely big day for all of our followers and for the Blue Jays group,” mentioned group president Mark Shapiro. “It is actually a historic second.”
The deal is probably the most profitable in group historical past, far surpassing the $150-million, six-year deal that outfielder George Springer signed as a free agent in January 2021.
Guerrero is within the ultimate yr of his present contract that pays him $28.5 million. With out an extension, the four-time all-star might have hit free company this fall.
“I believed passionately that Vlad needed to be right here and we needed him right here,” mentioned Blue Jays chair Edward Rogers. “I believed it will get performed. A deal of this dimension takes time. We had the appropriate individuals on it.”
As a part of the extension, Guerrero acquired a report $325-million signing bonus payable in 15 instalments from 2025-39, in response to contract particulars obtained by The Related Press.
The Blue Jays final received the Fall Traditional in 1993. They reached the wild-card spherical in three of the final 5 seasons however have not received a post-season recreation since 2016.
WATCH | Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays conform to historic 14-year contract:
The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly reached a 14-year, $500-million deal to increase famous person first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract — the richest deal in Jays historical past and the second-largest in Main League Baseball historical past.
Toronto is coming off a last-place end within the American League East. The Blue Jays, who began the day on prime of the division standings at 9-7, have been scheduled to host the Atlanta Braves on Monday evening.
Former Blue Jays basic supervisor Alex Anthopoulos signed Guerrero as a 16-year-old in July 2015.
Guerrero’s $35.71-million common annual worth below the brand new deal ranks eighth amongst present contracts. Ohtani ($70 million) leads the way in which in AAV with Soto ($51 million) behind him.
Guerrero hit .311 with 48 homers and 111 RBIs in 2021 to complete second in AL MVP voting behind Ohtani, then with the Los Angeles Angels.
Getting into play in opposition to the Braves, Guerrero was nonetheless on the lookout for his first homer of the yr. He had a .302 common with seven RBIs over 16 video games.
The 2-time Silver Slugger was named All-Star Recreation MVP in 2021, received a Gold Glove in 2022, and was a Dwelling Run Derby champion in 2023.
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