Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Defends Contract After Down Year as Blue Jays Eliminated From Playoff Contention
It’s been a tough year for Toronto. After being bested by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, the ball club has not been able to have the same spark and success. In 2026, even the organization’s star player has not look remotely like himself all season. Due to this, in a recent interview Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took time to defend his contract extension after a down year right as the Blue Jays are eliminated from playoff contention.
Last season, the Toronto Blue Jays signed All-Star INF Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year contract extension ($500,000,000 USD) through the 2039 season. At the time of his signing, he was in his seventh MLB season, already a four-time All-Star (2021-24), a two-time Silver Slugger (2021 & 2024), a Hank Aaron Award winner (2021), a Gold Glove Award winner (first base; 2022), an All-Star Game MVP (2021), a Home Run Derby champ (2023), and a two-time Tip O’Neill Award winner as the best Canadian baseball player (2021 & 2024).
Therefore, the Blue Jays were locking in a guy that was well-accomplished. As Ross Atkins, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations & General Manager, Toronto Blue Jays put it,
“Franchise players like Vlad don’t come along very often. He has already reached impressive performance levels and his future is even brighter. Vlad has been embraced by the City of Toronto and Canada since day one and we’re thrilled he’s with us for the long term. His ability to excel at the pinnacle of the game is matched by his passion for it and the joy he brings to the field every day.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Defends Contract After Down Year as Blue Jays Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Flash to 2026 and Vladdy is in a big slump. Hitting less than 10 home runs, knocking in 56 RBIs with 7 SBs. With less than five games left there’s not much that can be done to up his stats. But to Vladimir his current results do not make him not worth his extension.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on his down year after signing $500M extension last season:
“They didn’t pay me to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already did.”
I want people to understand one thing. The money they gave me wasn’t for what I’m going to do. It was for what I already did. They didn’t pay me because I’m going to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already accomplished. People are confused about that, but I think the same way they do. Like, sometimes I even say to myself: bro, they gave you all that money and you’re out here doing nothing. I try.
You know how it is with fans, when you’re good, they’re with you 100%. But when you smell like shit, like we like to say here, nobody supports you.
The ones who support you are the ones who stay with you. Those are my fans. My family.”
The Toronto Blue Jays have won 77 games and lost 81 this season. After a tough 2-4 loss on Wednesday afternoon to the Baltimore Orioles; Toronto is officially eliminated from playoff contention. A disappointing end after last year’s World Series run.
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