TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays have locked up slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term contract extension that might see the face of the franchise spend his total profession with Canada’s lone big-league crew.
Two days after stories surfaced the 2 sides had agreed to a deal, the Blue Jays made it official Wednesday afternoon by confirming Guerrero has signed a 14-year extension price US$500 million.
“This can be a monumental second in franchise historical past,” crew president Mark Shapiro mentioned in a press release. “Vlad has been a part of our Blue Jays household since he was 16 years previous and has captured the center of our metropolis and nation.
“There are only a few within the sport at present that may say they’ve performed for greater than 20 years with the identical crew, and we’re immensely grateful Blue Jays followers will get to see Vlad end his profession the place all of it started. The title Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will perpetually be synonymous with the Toronto Blue Jays.”
The deal is essentially the most profitable in crew historical past, far surpassing the $150-million, six-year deal that outfielder George Springer signed as a free agent in January 2021.
The extension is the third largest deal in whole {dollars} behind Juan Soto’s MLB-record $765-million, 15-year deal and Shohei Ohtani’s $700-million, 10-year take care of the Los Angeles Dodgers that started final 12 months and is closely deferred.
Associated Movies
Guerrero is within the ultimate 12 months of his present contract that pays him $28.5 million. With out an extension, the four-time all-star may have hit free company this fall.
Get breaking Nationwide information
For information impacting Canada and world wide, join breaking information alerts delivered on to you after they occur.
“I like our Blue Jays followers,” Guerrero mentioned. “They’ve supported me my complete profession and made me really feel appreciated day-after-day. My household and I’ve a particular connection to our second residence in Toronto, and I really feel lucky to hold on my dad’s legacy and signify a whole nation.
“I’m very proud to put on the Maple Leaf and to be a part of a company with the identical aim — to carry World Collection championships again to Canada.”
The Blue Jays final received the Fall Basic in 1993. They reached the wild-card spherical in three of the final 5 seasons however haven’t received a post-season sport since 2016.
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 7-5, had been scheduled to go to the Boston Pink Sox on Wednesday evening.
Former Blue Jays common supervisor Alex Anthopoulos signed Guerrero as a 16-year-old in July 2015.
The Montreal native, who represents the Dominican Republic internationally, hit .323 final season with 30 homers and 103 RBIs. Since 2021, he’s the American League chief in hits (733), and ranks second in whole bases (1,286) and third in residence runs (136).
Guerrero’s $35.71-million common annual worth beneath the brand new deal ranks eighth amongst present contracts. Ohtani ($70 million) leads the best way in AAV with Soto ($51 million) behind him.
“As proud homeowners of the Blue Jays, we’re dedicated to constructing a championship crew and we’re thrilled to have Vlad’s management as the most effective gamers within the sport,” mentioned crew chair Edward Rogers, who’s government chair of Rogers Communications. “As we speak is a win for the most effective followers in baseball.”
In 2021, 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.
The 26-year-old first baseman was sixth in final 12 months’s MVP vote.
Getting into play Wednesday, Guerrero was nonetheless in search of his first homer of the 12 months. He had a .255 common with 4 RBIs.
The 2-time Silver Slugger was named All-Star Recreation MVP in 2021, received a Gold Glove in 2022, and was a Residence Run Derby champion in 2023.
“Franchise gamers like Vlad don’t come alongside fairly often,” mentioned Blue Jays common supervisor Ross Atkins. “He has already reached spectacular efficiency ranges and his future is even brighter. Vlad has been embraced by the town of Toronto and Canada since Day 1 and we’re thrilled he’s with us for the long run.
“His means to excel on the pinnacle of the sport is matched by his ardour for it and the enjoyment he brings to the sphere day-after-day.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 9, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Source link