Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays smiles after being tagged out at second base by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor during the eighth inning on Friday, April 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has committed to a long future with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a massive $500 million contract that stretches over 14 years and begins in 2026. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the news to The Associated Press on Monday, requesting anonymity because the agreement hasn’t been officially announced yet.
The deal, which contains no deferred payments, locks in one of baseball’s brightest stars for the long haul—removing him from what would have been the most-watched free-agent class next offseason.
Reactions around the team were nothing short of thrilled. Pitcher Max Scherzer put it simply: “Wow. Awesome. We know who’s at first base for the next 14 years.”
Guerrero had previously signed a one-year, $28.5 million deal this January to avoid arbitration. While he made it clear he wouldn’t negotiate after spring training began, his representatives quietly kept talks alive during the season.
The first baseman, a four-time All-Star, celebrated his 26th birthday last month. He’s known for his power at the plate and his ability to perform under pressure. Despite a slow start this season—batting .256 with no home runs and four RBIs—Guerrero’s overall career stats show his value: a .277 batting average, 160 home runs, and 511 RBIs.
Teammate George Springer shared his excitement after Toronto’s 6-2 win over Boston: “I think it shows how serious this club is. It’s not just about building a strong team—it’s about building something lasting for the fans, the city, and the entire country.”
Manager John Schneider held off commenting on the deal until it became official. Guerrero still has to complete his physical for the contract to be finalized. Schneider did say, though, “He’s always wanted to match or even outshine his father, which says a lot.”
Guerrero is the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero and has made a name for himself with his own standout career. His new contract now stands as the third-largest in MLB history by total value. Only Juan Soto's $765 million deal with the New York Mets and Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Dodgers surpass it. Guerrero’s annual earnings under the new agreement come to around $35.71 million, putting him among baseball’s top earners.
Toronto has been aggressively building its roster in pursuit of its first World Series title since 1993. The team missed out on big names like Ohtani and Soto but has added Anthony Santander, Jeff Hoffman, and Scherzer to strengthen its core.
As for who’s next, all eyes are now on shortstop Bo Bichette. The two-time All-Star becomes a free agent after this year’s World Series, and it remains to be seen if Toronto will lock him in, too.
Veteran pitcher Scherzer summed it up best: “We just want to win. This is a strong statement by the organization.”
