Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Avoid Arbitration

The Toronto Blue Jays and their star slugger, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., have successfully avoided arbitration for the upcoming season. The Blue Jays announced on Thursday that they have reached one-year contracts with all seven of their arbitration-eligible players, with Guerrero’s deal set at $28.5 million US.

Along with Guerrero, the Blue Jays also finalized contracts with infielder Ernie Clement ($1.975M), catcher Alejandro Kirk ($4.6M), outfielder Daulton Varsho ($8.2M), and right-handed pitchers Alek Manoah ($2.2M), Zach Pop ($900K), and Nick Sandlin ($1.63M).

Arbitration-eligible players and teams were scheduled to exchange proposed figures on Thursday, but the Blue Jays were able to settle agreements with all of their players before the deadline.

Guerrero had an outstanding season in 2024, hitting .323 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. He earned his fourth all-star selection and received the Silver Slugger Award for his impressive performance. Despite the Blue Jays’ struggles last season, Guerrero managed to finish sixth in the American League MVP voting.

As Guerrero enters his final season under team control in 2025, the Blue Jays are looking to build on his success and improve upon their last-place finish in the AL East in 2024.

Last winter, Guerrero won his arbitration case against the Blue Jays, earning $19.9 million. This year, he secured a $28.5 million deal, showcasing his value to the team.

Notably, Juan Soto set a record for arbitration-eligible players last year with a $31 million deal with the New York Yankees. Soto recently signed a record-breaking $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets after becoming a free agent.

With the majority of arbitration-eligible players expected to reach agreements, the focus now shifts to the upcoming season. The Blue Jays are set to open their 2025 campaign on March 27 against the Baltimore Orioles at home.

Guerrero, who made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2019, has quickly established himself as a key player for the team. His versatility on the field and impressive offensive numbers make him a valuable asset for Toronto.

As the Blue Jays prepare for the upcoming season, Guerrero’s presence in the lineup will be crucial to their success. Fans are eager to see what the star slugger can achieve in his final year under team control.