After years of swirling trade speculation, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. isn’t going anywhere.
According to reports, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed their franchise cornerstone to a jaw-dropping 14-year, $500 million extension – reportedly with no deferrals – cementing Guerrero as the long-term face of the organization.
The blockbuster deal comes just months after Guerrero and the club sidestepped arbitration by agreeing to a $28.5 million salary for the 2025 season – the third-highest ever for an arbitration-eligible player, behind only Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani.
Though Guerrero’s name frequently popped up in trade rumors, Toronto never seriously considered dealing him.
Despite missing the playoffs with a disappointing 74-88 record in 2024 and failing to lure superstar Juan Soto in free agency, the Blue Jays are doubling down on their homegrown star.
Rather than hitting reset, Toronto has made its intentions clear: Guerrero is the centerpiece of whatever comes next.
The 26-year-old first baseman is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, slashing .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs over 159 games.
He finished sixth in American League MVP voting and remained one of the few bright spots on a struggling Blue Jays squad.
Guerrero, the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, entered pro baseball with sky-high expectations after signing as an international free agent with Toronto back in 2015.
After rocketing through the minors and earning the No. 1 overall prospect ranking ahead of the 2019 season, he truly broke out in 2021 – leading the AL with 48 homers and finishing as runner-up to Ohtani in MVP voting.
Though his production dipped slightly in 2022 and 2023, Guerrero bounced back in 2024, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball.
He’s averaged 34 home runs per season over the past four years, and his 136 total homers in that span tie him for seventh among all MLB players.
Despite being more average than elite defensively, Guerrero’s offensive value remains undeniable. Now, with the long-term security of a record-setting contract, he’s set to anchor the Blue Jays’ lineup for more than a decade.
Rumors of a potential move to the New York Mets had swirled over the past year, even after Mets owner Steve Cohen signed Juan Soto to a $765 million mega deal.
But New York Post insider Jon Heyman poured cold water on the Guerrero-to-NY buzz last month, writing: “Despite the speculation and the Mets’ well-stocked cash drawer, folks don’t believe they’d be the one to pay that.
“People around the game don’t see Mets honcho David Stearns spending that much money on a slugging first baseman – even a young one.”
Mets fans (and players) tried their best to get on Guerrero’s good side.
The warm welcome he received had been interpreted by many as a recruitment effort by the New York faithful – but Guerrero downplayed the moment.
“To be honest with you, that’s normal for me,” Guerrero admitted. “I’ve never been booed in any other stadium. Everybody always has been nice to me everywhere I go.”
Now, those fans will have to admire him from afar.
With the historic contract, the Blue Jays have silenced the trade rumors and firmly planted their flag around one of baseball’s brightest stars.
The question is: Did Guerrero make a mistake staying with Toronto? … Would he have been better off – both financially and team success-wise – if he somehow ended up with the Mets or Red Sox???
