Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is going to be the most sought-after first baseman next year. That is if the Toronto Blue Jays cannot succeed in convincing Vladdy to stay; Guerrero Jr. is an excellent player and has been a cornerstone of the franchise for a long time now. The team will be devastated if they lose him, especially now that they lost the Juan Soto sweepstakes. That being said, how much Vladdy is worth to them will show in these extension talks. But the Jays do not have much time to come up with a deal in which both parties are satisfied. If they want their first baseman to stay on their team, they will have to move fast.
As the speculation around Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future contract heats up, figures ranging from $400 to $450 million are being thrown around, but Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi believes that number might be a bit high. The author says that first basemen do not get high amounts. While Guerrero’s potential is undeniable, the largest contract ever handed to a first baseman—Miguel Cabrera’s $292 million extension with the Tigers—serves as an intriguing reference point.
Cabrera’s deal, which covered his 2016-2023 seasons, had $44 million left from his old contract, meaning the total payout over the 10 years amounted to $292 million. The debate remains whether first basemen deserve to be valued as highly as other positions given the relative lack of defensive value, but Guerrero’s offensive firepower and overall marketability still suggest he could surpass Cabrera’s figure.
What does Vladdy think he is worth?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has become synonymous with the Toronto Blue Jays, not just as their star player, but as the face of the franchise. The Canadian-born, Dominican-raised slugger is coming off a monster season, slashing .323/.396/.544 over 159 games with 30 homers and 103 RBIs. His impressive performance also earned him a second Silver Slugger and a fourth consecutive All-Star Game appearance.
Despite being just 25 years old, Guerrero is already among the elite, finishing sixth in the American League MVP voting. Guerrero has made it clear that he wants to stay in Toronto long-term, but the two sides still seem far apart on terms. Reports have indicated a gap of $100 million, which is no small difference when we’re talking about a player of Guerrero’s caliber. Vladdy is reportedly eyeing a deal worth at least $450 million, with some speculating that the numbers could reach as high as $477 million over 12 years, as laid out by Jim Bowden of The Athletic.