“Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Makes History with Groundbreaking 14-Year, $500 Million Deal: What This Means for the Future of the Blue Jays”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has officially secured his future with the Toronto Blue Jays, and fans have every reason to celebrate. News broke early Monday of a staggering 14-year, $500 million contract that kicks off in 2026, ensuring that one of baseball’s brightest stars remains in Toronto for years to come. This monumental agreement not only keeps Guerrero in the fold but also removes him from what many expected to be a fiercely competitive free-agent market next offseason.

Although the details were initially shared under the veil of confidentiality, it’s now clear that Guerrero’s deal won’t feature deferred payments, a fact that adds notable appeal for the club. Having previously settled on a one-year agreement worth $28.5 million to sidestep arbitration, Guerrero had declared his intentions to cease any negotiations upon arriving at spring training. Yet, behind the scenes, discussions were lively and continued throughout the season, highlighting the mutual desire between the player and the organization.

With this latest contract, Guerrero now holds the distinction of having the third-largest deal in baseball history, trailing only outfielder Juan Soto and two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. His new average annual salary of $35.71 million places him among baseball’s elite earners, signifying not just his prowess on the field, but also the Blue Jays’ commitment to build a championship-caliber team, eyeing their first World Series title since back-to-back championships in ’92 and ’93.

As Guerrero enters this next chapter, it’s worth noting that he’s more than just a talented player; he’s the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero. At only 26 years old, he’s already made an impressive mark in the league—his batting average stands at .277, with a record of 160 home runs and 511 RBIs, showcasing his potential for even greater achievements ahead.

While the Blue Jays have faced challenges in securing other star players this offseason, they’ve made significant moves, including recent contracts with outfielder Anthony Santander, right-hander Max Scherzer, and reliever Jeff Hoffman. Yet, with Guerrero’s commitment, the team’s aspirations seem bolder than ever, as they continue to pursue greatness in the league.

The stage is set for an exciting future in Toronto, making this a pivotal moment not just for Guerrero but for the entire franchise. For those eager to dive deeper into the implications of this landmark contract, click here to LEARN MORE.

NEW YORK — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a 14-year, $500 million contract that starts in 2026, according to a person familiar with the negotiations, a deal that removes what would have been the biggest star from next offseason’s free-agent market.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity early Monday because the agreement had not been announced.

Guerrero’s deal does not include any deferred money, the person said.

Guerrero agreed in January to a one-year, $28.5 million contract that avoided arbitration and the four-time All-Star first baseman had said he wouldn’t negotiate after he reported to spring training in mid-February. Still, talks with his agent continued well into the regular season.

Guerrero got the third-largest contract in total dollars behind outfielder Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets that started this season and two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers that began last year and is heavily deferred.

Guerrero’s $35.71 million average annual value under the new deal ranks eighth among current contracts behind the agreements of Ohtani ($70 million), Soto ($51 million), Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler ($42 million), Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge ($40 million), Texas pitcher Jacob deGrom ($37 million), Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell ($36.4 million) and Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole ($36 million).

A son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, the Blue Jays star turned 26 last month and would have been a free agent this fall at a relatively young age.

Guerrero is a .277 career hitter with 160 homers and 511 RBIs. He’s batting .256 with no homers and four RBIs in the first 10 games this season.

Seeking its first World Series title since winning championships in 1992 and 1993, Toronto notably failed to land Ohtani, Soto and Roki Sasaki. The Blue Jays agreed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract with outfielder Anthony Santander, a one-year, $15.5 million contract with right-hander Max Scherzer and a three-year, $33 million contract with reliever Jeff Hoffman.

Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, a two-time All-Star, remains eligible for free agency after this year’s World Series.