The Blue Jays got their man. Sources have indicated that Vladimir Guerrero Jr, the 26-year-old Blue Jays star, has agreed to a 14-year contract that handsomely pays him (pending physical), an average annual value (AAV) of $35.7 million over the next 14 years. That would, of course, bring Vladdy to his age 40 season, effectively making him a Blue Jay for life.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Vladdy) had indicated, from the end of last season, right through the Blue Jays’ ‘25 spring training and opening day, that he would not discuss his contract situation until the season ended. Baseball fans everywhere can easily recognize this strategy and stance as familiar to Juan Soto.
While with the Yankees in 2024, Soto, undoubtedly one of the game’s best players, often carried the label of “generational” in most of the more informed baseball forums. He toyed with the media throughout the season in 2024. Dropping slight, subtle hints that he might remain in New York but ultimately deciding, following the ‘24 World Series, that he would go to the highest bidder.
Vladdy would follow suit, effectively remaining silent about his long-term intentions. What changed was the slow start that he once again delivered to start the season. By slow start, that is not to suggest that he has been abysmal. Rather, Vladdy has been unexceptional.
The 4-time All-Star is a good player. He does not, however, belong in the same echelon of baseball royalty as players like Judge, Ohtani, Soto, or Tucker. Vladdy has yet to clear the yard for his first home run of the season.
Last year, he had a phenomenal second half, after the Blue Jays had fallen hopelessly out of contention in the American League East. This is the best offer that Vladdy would see, and if his power numbers were to continue declining, the offer would likely be pulled from the table.
If we look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s numbers throughout his 6-year MLB career, they are impressive, and most likely, on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Toronto Blue Jays fans can now embrace the dream that Vladdy might one day don the Toronto Blue Jays hat on a Cooperstown plaque.
That will require him to sustain an offensive output similar to his 2021 and 2024 performances for at least a handful of the 14 years that he will continue to play for the Toronto Blue Jays.
It would be quite an incredible tale if the Blue Jays could raise and groom Vladdy, from a raw 16-year-old, Montreal-born son of a Hall of Famer, to become a Hall of Famer himself. Vladdy has all of the tools to make this a reality. This record-breaking deal for the Blue Jays should provide a spring in the step of Vladdy and ignite his power stroke that, so far in the 2025 MLB season, has eluded him.
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