Toronto Blue Jays fans are starting the week with a home run.
Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has consistently said he wanted to be a Blue Jay for his entire career, and news broke Monday morning that that just may be the case.
Following prolonged negotiations, the 26-year-old first baseman and the Jays have agreed on a 14-year contract extension worth US$500 million, a source told The Canadian Press early Monday morning.
The deal, which is pending a physical, was also reported by Sportsnet, ESPN and The Athletic.
“Vladdy is a Blue Jay for life!!” wrote X user @TheCoryFitzger1 on Monday morning.
“Vladdy’s still gonna be hitting bombs for the Jays when I cash in my pension plan, what a time to be alive!!!’ added X user @MurphyDee55.
The Jays have yet to confirm the extension. The team is currently on a 10-day road trip and is scheduled to kick off a four-game series in Boston on Monday night.
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Guerrero is in the final year of his current contract. Without an extension, the four-time all-star could have hit free agency in the fall.
The deal is by far the most lucrative in franchise history, far surpassing the $150-million, six-year deal that outfielder George Springer signed as a free agent in January 2021.
The extension was a big accomplishment for general manager Ross Atkins and the team’s front office, who were slammed by the team’s fan base and pilloried by local media for some of their choices last winter.
The team did sign slugger Anthony Santander to a five-year deal but otherwise struck out in its attempt to land top free-agent talent. When Guerrero’s mid-February negotiation deadline passed without a deal, the pile-on continued.
Citing the desire to limit distractions at training camp and during the season, Guerrero planned to put contract talks on hold. The four-time all-star did, however, leave the door open for the resumption of talks.
Reports surfaced in early March that the Blue Jays had offered Guerrero a deal in the $400-$450 million range. Another volley appeared to come a couple of weeks later when reports said the team made another offer.
The two sides were eventually able to agree on an extension just over a week into the regular season.
“Great signing for the Jays! Vlad locked up,” wrote X user @prit17.
“I can’t believe they actually did it. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is a Blue Jays for life!!!” added X user @JaysFan39.
— with files from The Canadian Press
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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