Some Toronto Blue Jays fans hoping the team will lock down star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will have to wait a little longer for that to happen.
The Blue Jays announced Thursday that they had signed Guerrero to a one-year, $28.5 million contract to avoid the arbitration deadline. If there is a stalemate between a team and an arbitration-eligible player, a third party will consider each team’s salary offer and determine the player’s salary for the upcoming season.
The Blue Jays also signed six other arbitration-eligible players to one-year contracts. The players and teams were scheduled to exchange proposed arbitration figures Thursday.
Guerrero, 25, who made his big league debut in Toronto in April 2019, will enter his final season under team management in 2025.
The face of the franchise, which had been damaged by shortcomings and early playoff exit during his tenure, was revived last season. The star first baseman earned his fourth All-Star selection and Silver Slugger Award after batting .323 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs.
However, during his time as a Blue Jay, Guerrero did not have a long-term contract. Last winter, he was awarded $19.9 million when an arbitration panel chose his request over the team’s $18.05 million offer.
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Aside from Guerrero, two-time All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette is also unsigned beyond this year. Bichette infamously publicly attempted to trade last year, while Guerrero softened his stance on playing for the New York Yankees, a rival team he once swore he would never play for.
With his long-term status in doubt and fans hungry for success for the team, some took to social media to express their reactions to Guerrero’s news.
X User @thekavehs wrote in response to the team’s post Friday morning, “If they don’t sign Vladdy long-term and pay him what he truly deserves as an amazing player, we are truly going to have a riot.”
X user @RyanRuffy wrote: “If you don’t want to see empty stadiums, declining jersey sales and much lower TV ratings, sign Vladi long term.”
The window for success with the roster as currently built is starting to close, and the lack of expansion raises questions about whether the Blue Jays expect to be a consistent contender in the coming years, or if a retooling or rebuilding process is looming.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins is under pressure to complete a 74-88 campaign following his first Wild Card Series appearance in three years.
“Winning is the most powerful thing,” Atkins told reporters late last year.
“The more we do, the better positioned we will be and remain. And last year was a disappointing year for us because we couldn’t get out of there.”
The Blue Jays’ preseason opener is on February 22 against the New York Yankees. Toronto opens the 2025 regular season on March 27 against the Baltimore Orioles.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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