Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has signed a groundbreaking 14-year, $500 million contract extension that locks him in as the face of Canada’s only Major League Baseball team for years to come. This historic deal is now the third-largest in MLB history, trailing only Juan Soto’s $765 million contract with the New York Mets and Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Guerrero Jr., born on March 16, 1999, in Montreal, Quebec, is no stranger to the spotlight. The son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., he grew up surrounded by baseball greatness and was raised in the Dominican Republic. In 2015, the Toronto Blue Jays signed him as an international free agent, and he quickly rose through the ranks, making his MLB debut in 2019.
Since then, Guerrero Jr. has become a powerhouse at the plate. With a career batting average of .287, 160 home runs, and 511 RBIs across 829 games, he’s widely recognized as one of the league’s premier hitters. His breakout season in 2021 earned him a second place finish in American League MVP voting, thanks to his 48 home runs and .311 batting average. He has also made significant strides defensively, earning a Gold Glove at first base.
The new deal kicks in after the 2025 season and includes a full no trade clause, with no deferred payments making it clear that the Blue Jays are all in on Guerrero Jr. as their franchise cornerstone. It’s a major investment from the team, signaling a strong desire to contend for championships in the coming years.
While many fans are celebrating, the enormous contract has sparked conversation on campus as well. “I think that is a lot of money for just one player,” said Tommie, a veterinary technician student at Seneca College. “And we know the Blue Jays are the Canadian team, so I hope he can maintain that level of performance. It’s a lot of pressure.” Others, like Aries from the Business Department, are newer to the Blue Jays experience but eager to see what the hype is all about.
“I don’t watch the Blue Jays much I recently started attending their games,” Aries shared. “But I heard he has a really good hand, and I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table.”
With rising anticipation and a fanbase that spans the country, Guerrero Jr. now carries the weight of a nation’s baseball dreams. And with a record setting contract in hand, all eyes will be on him to deliver.
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