Let that soak in for a minute.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Toronto Blue Jay for life.
After getting a seat at the table to talk contracts with some of the biggest baseball stars over the last few winters, their homegrown talent is staying home. Multiple reports surfaced early Monday morning that
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be putting pen to paper on a $14-year, $500-million contract, effectively keeping him in Toronto for the rest of his career, just like he’s wanted all along.
Jays fans were elated to see the deal get done.
“It’s something the franchise absolutely, without a doubt, had to get done. Maybe it’s an overpay, who cares, it needed to happen,” wrote @CLTJaysFancan on X.
@kathypom54, meanwhile, hit the nail on the head, saying it, “Had to be done if the Jay’s want to be considered a serious franchise. Is it an overpay? Yes, but he’s a homegrown talent, and although I’ve doubted the term and $, I’m happy. Now Vlad, it’s time to hit like a $500M dollar man. The ball is in your court.”
The money certainly is a lot, but the truth of the matter is the deal is only worth about $7 million more on an annual basis than he’s making this year. The commitment is long, no doubt, but there’s no denying the importance of the fact that the deal got done.
As Kathy says, now it’s time for Guerrero Jr. to live up to his end of the bargain.
@goldeyesfan was certainly happy with the news, writing, “LOVE IT!!!!! About bloody time. Bo’s turn next.”
All eyes will certainly be on Bo Bichette sooner rather than later. A pending free agent this coming winter, the Jays front office will need to make a decision about whether or not their shortstop fits into their long term plans. Nonetheless,
a solid start to the season is much welcomed.
On Facebook,
Robert Racicot highlighted how the deal can be a signal to other players around the league.
“Great decision it shows the jays are spending money and others players will want to play for us.”
Jeffery Van Der Valk, meanwhile, made a great point talking about how Guerrero Jr. can focus on the most important thing now: playing ball.
“Good ! He is not only a good player but a brand ambassador! And now we can focus on playing some ball.”
Kinnon O’Brien felt good about the future: “He will be worth every penny and the contract will look like a steal in a couple years. Locked down your franchise player for his whole career plus they owed him a little more for his production on a rookie contract. Being in Canada and our current tax structure, that was always going to have to be the number.”
Some fans weren’t so optimistic, though.
@Dale07149987 opined the deal was an overpay and that it isn’t going to age well.
“FO waited so long and massively overpaid. Next years new FO will be saddled with this poor contract and an aging pitching rotation, and poor farm system. Sorry this is a tire fire.”
Mike Lane felt the deal was worth too much money, “To much money. Never performs when it matters only once pressure is off and runs them out of too many innings. Can say he put up good numbers last year but that was from June onward when they were out of the race.”
Larry Glaim wrote that the money could’ve been used for other areas on the roster: “Lots of players out there that can play 1st base and hit as good as he has been doing for a lot less money . we could use that money for better pitchers . as of now it looks like a replay of last year”
The biggest concern seems to be around the total money and the length of the deal, which are certainly valid concerns.
What do you think of Guerrero Jr.’s new deal?
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
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