One aspect that sets the MLB apart from other sports is the immense amount of money given to free agents. No sport pays its players more money, and baseball has seen that with Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto’s contracts in the past two offseasons as both players agreed to deals north of $700 million, but we may have another monster deal coming for an MLB player next offseason.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Seeking Massive Extension
The next superstar player looking for a massive extension is Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.; he is one of the best pure hitters in the sport, with four straight All-Star appearances and two top-six AL MVP finishes. He is in line to break the bank, but the team that will pay him is still in the air.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Guerrero wants a $500 million contract. And he does not want referrals in his deal, as he wants $500 million in present value.
“Guerrero told ESPN last week he was ‘looking for 14’ years. The average annual value of a 14-year, $500 million deal would be $35.71 million — more than $15 million below Soto’s AAV, and 11th all-time.”
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Guerrero has already cut off talks with the Blue Jays on an extension now that the season is approaching. It looks increasingly likely he will hit the open market and be free for anyone to sign after this season.
Guerrero will turn 27 in mid-March 2026, putting him in the prime of his career. It will be interesting to see if team is willing to pay him the $500 million he is asking for.
Is Guerrero in for a Career Year in 2025?
It’s common for players to elevate their play during a contract year, and that’s what we could expect from Guerrero in 2025. You could argue that his breakout season already came in 2021, when he hit 48 home runs, drove in 111 runs, and posted an OPS of 1.002. He finished second in MVP voting that year, losing the award to Ohtani.
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It’s not out of the question that Guerrero could replicate that season or even surpass it in 2025, however. Depending on how he performs, he may adjust his asking price. With a roster full of solid players, the Blue Jays have a chance to contend for a playoff spot, but it could take another historic season from Guerrero to get them there.