“Vlad Jr. Lands Big Deal: Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. Reach Agreement, Avoid Arbitration Showdown”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Avoids Arbitration, Agrees to $28.5 Million Salary with Blue Jays

In a move that will bring relief to both parties, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $28.5 million salary to avoid an arbitration hearing. This marks the end of the arbitration process for Guerrero, who has been a key player for the Blue Jays since his major league debut in 2019.

According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, the two sides agreed to the salary figure, which represents an $8.6 million raise from his previous year’s salary. While this is a significant increase, it falls short of the $29.6 million predicted by MLBTR writer Matt Swartz. Nevertheless, Guerrero will remain the highest-paid player on this year’s arbitration panel.

Guerrero’s arbitration hearing was a highly anticipated event, especially given his impressive performance last season. The four-time All-Star finished sixth in MVP voting, slashing.323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 44 doubles. His numbers are eerily similar to those of his 2021 MVP runner-up campaign, when he finished just behind Shohei Ohtani.

The agreement to avoid arbitration is a welcome development for both Guerrero and the Blue Jays. It allows them to focus on more pressing matters, such as negotiating a long-term contract extension. Guerrero has already expressed a willingness to continue negotiations until the start of spring training, and it’s possible that a deal could be reached before the season begins.

However, the real question on everyone’s mind is whether this will be Guerrero’s last contract with the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old first baseman has already stated that he would test free agency next offseason if no deal is reached. Given his impressive performance and growing reputation as one of the best players in the game, it’s likely that Guerrero will attract significant interest from multiple teams.

The Blue Jays, however, would likely prefer to retain Guerrero’s services for the long haul. He has been an integral part of their lineup, and his departure would be a significant blow to the team’s chances of success. With Guerrero’s arbitration agreement out of the way, the two sides can now focus on negotiating a more comprehensive deal that would keep him in Toronto for years to come.

FAQ:

Q: How much did Vladimir Guerrero Jr. agree to make in salary for the upcoming season?
A: Guerrero agreed to a $28.5 million salary, representing an $8.6 million raise from his previous year’s salary.

Q: Did Guerrero’s salary agreement prevent him from testing free agency next offseason?
A: No, Guerrero’s agreement to avoid arbitration does not prevent him from testing free agency next offseason if no deal is reached with the Blue Jays.

Q: Will Guerrero continue to play for the Blue Jays beyond the upcoming season?
A: It’s unclear, as Guerrero has expressed a willingness to test free agency next offseason if no deal is reached. The Blue Jays would likely prefer to retain his services for the long haul.

Conclusion:

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s arbitration agreement marks the end of a process that has been ongoing for several months. While the $28.5 million salary figure is significant, it’s likely that Guerrero’s true value lies in his potential long-term contract. With his impressive performance and growing reputation, it’s likely that he will attract significant interest from multiple teams. The Blue Jays would likely prefer to retain his services for the long haul, but only time will tell if a deal can be reached before he becomes a free agent.