The Toronto Blue Jays and All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a $28.5-million contract for 2025, the team announced.
The figure represents the third-largest one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible player in MLB history, per Sportsnet Stats. Only Shohei Ohtani ($30 million in 2023) and Juan Soto ($31 million in 2024) have received higher deals.
Guerrero enjoyed a bounce-back 2024 season, winning a Silver Slugger and finishing sixth in AL MVP voting after hitting .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs in 159 games.
The 25-year-old is entering his final season of team control before free agency. While Guerrero and the Blue Jays are apparently interested in an extension, the sides are reportedly around $100 million apart. Guerrero has also said he won't negotiate after spring training begins.
The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with all eight of their eligible players.
