Vladimir Guerrero JR. He said on Wednesday that it was “great relief” that he and Toronto Blue Jays They were finally able to complete a long -term trade.
“If I tell you it’s not a big relief, I would lie to you,” Guerrero told Wednesday. “It was always my goal to be here. And I feel like I have achieved it, and I am very, very glad to stay here and be the blue Jay.”
The 14 years, a contract for $ 500 millionStarting in 2026, it includes a record bonus for signing $ 325 million, which in 2027 protects money from possible stopping work.
The agreement was officially announced on Wednesday and the press conference is scheduled for Monday at the Rogers Center.
Guerrero agreed to $ 28.5 million in January, an annual contract that avoided the arbitration, and the four-time all-star Baseman said he would not negotiate after reporting spring training in mid-February. Yet their agent continued their regular season.
“It wasn’t that hard,” Guerrero said about the time it took the agreement to close. “As if I said I might just believe the process, every step with my family, my agents, my loved ones. I mean, having faith, everything, the result will be good.
Got the third largest contract in total dollars behind outfielder Juan Soto $ 765 million, 15 years of contract with New York Mets It started this season and two -way star Shohei ohtani $ 700 million, ten -year -old agreement with Los Angeles Dodgers It started last year and is strongly postponed.
The average annual value of Guerrero on average $ 35.71 million in New Deal ranks eighth among the current contracts.
“I have never seen an organization that is a class organization as a family,” Guerrero said. “It’s been 10, 11 years old we were here. I think, as I say, this is a family for me – a team, a city, a fans, it’s a family. I told you the truth, I really didn’t feel elsewhere and get to know new people.”
He said his own family played a role in his decision.
“That’s one of the hardest – when your daughter comes to you and asks” Dad, will we stay in Toronto? “Guerrero said. “Knowing that your family really wants to stay in Toronto, it was (the main). But they wanted to stay in Toronto all the time and thank God that it happened.”
The son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, the star of Blue Jays would be a free agent this fall at a relatively young age. Older Guerrero shared some advice with his son: “To trust God. My dad told me to believe in God and try to get the last penny I could have been from the organization.”
The younger Guerrero is a career hitter 0.287 with 160 homery and 511 RBI. In the first 12 games this season they will detonate 0.255 without homers and four RBIs.
“Just so powerful for the organization,” said Blue CEO Jays Ross Atkins. “I think it’s monumental for Toronto and the game. The historical agreement on what will be a historic player. I think just starting. He’s already doing huge things like individuals as this team. It will continue these things.”
Toronto has been looking for its first title World Series since victory in 1992 and 1993 and failed to land, Soto and Roki Sasaki. Blue Jays agreed with a five -year contract with outfielder $ 92.5 million Anthony Santander;; $ 15.5 million, one -year contract with Max Scherzer; and $ 33 million, a three -year contract with a relievement Jeff Hoffman.
“It’s a monumental moment in the history of franchise,” said Blue President Jays Mark Shapiro in his statement. “Vlad is part of our Blue Jays family since he was 16 and has captured the hearts of our city and the country.
“There are very few in the game today that they can say that they have played for more than two decades with the same team, and we are extremely grateful Blue Jays fans that Vlad will complete their career where it all started.
Toronto Shortstop Bo BichetteDouble All-Star, remains capable of free agency after this year’s World series.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
