The Toronto Blue Jays have finally put the contract dramatics to bed by locking up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the remainder of his career.
An offseason filled with rumors about Guerrero Jr.’s future in Toronto spilled into the early weeks of the 2025 MLB season, as the two sides failed to agree on a contract extension—much to the frustration of both management and the player. Before Opening Day, Guerrero Jr. informed team officials he did not want to negotiate during the season, making his potential departure at year’s end feel increasingly inevitable.
However, after a slow start to the season, the narrative began to shift. Reports emerged that negotiations between the two parties had quietly resumed and were gaining traction. Then, just past midnight on Monday, April 7, it was confirmed that—pending a physical—the Blue Jays had agreed to a massive 14-year, $500 million extension with their franchise cornerstone.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Will Be a Blue Jay for Life
At 26, Guerrero Jr.’s new deal will keep him in Toronto until he is 41, effectively making him a Blue Jay for life. The $500 million contract becomes the third-largest in Major League Baseball history, trailing only Juan Soto’s deal with the Mets and Shohei Ohtani’s record-setting agreement with the Dodgers.
Toronto had previously pursued both Soto and Ohtani in free agency. After falling short on both occasions, fans were left questioning whether the Blue Jays were truly committed to building a contender. That skepticism is understandable—after all, the franchise has failed to reach the World Series since its back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.
But now, that narrative may be shifting. With the recent signing of slugging outfielder Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract and now this landmark deal for Guerrero Jr., the organization appears to be signaling a clear intent to win—and soon.
Can Guerrero Jr. Lead the Blue Jays Back to the Postseason?
Guerrero Jr. has long been considered one of the game’s elite talents, as evidenced by his MVP runner-up campaign in 2021. He further reinforced his value in 2024, racking up 103 RBIs and 30 home runs despite a disappointing team performance.
As he enters his prime, Guerrero Jr. will aim to make his fifth consecutive All-Star appearance in 2025—a testament to the consistency that has made him such a critical part of Toronto’s lineup. With playoff aspirations in full focus, the Blue Jays will need every ounce of production from their most valuable bat.
This extension not only cements Guerrero Jr. as the face of the franchise, but it also sends a message to the rest of the league—particularly to teams like the Mets and Red Sox, who were rumored to be interested had he reached free agency. Paired with the Santander deal and the addition of veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, the Jays are making it clear: they are in win-now mode.
Toronto has now held up its end of the bargain by rewarding Guerrero Jr. with a generational contract. The focus now shifts back to the field—where it is all up to Guerrero Jr. to play like the superstar he’s being paid to be and lead the Blue Jays back to October baseball.