One thing that separates the MLB from other sports is the contracts given out to players. No sport gives out larger — or longer — contracts to its players than MLB teams. Juan Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets this past offseason. That is the second-largest deal in sports history behind Shohei Ohtani.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the next superstar looking for a massive contract, which might come after this season. It has been reported that he is looking for a 15-year deal, similar to Soto’s, but some MLB analysts think he is crazy for asking for that much.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Called ‘Delusional’ Over Contract Request
Guerrero is one of the top young hitters in baseball. He’s flown under the radar for much of his career but has been an elite player for the last four seasons. He finished second in AL MVP voting in 2021 and is coming off a season where he batted a career-high .323.
However, SNY sports analyst Sal Licata thinks Guerrero is “delusional” for thinking he can get a 15-year deal from any team.
“He is delusional — on what planet is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting 15 years?” Licata said.
“‘Oh no, it’s nothing like Soto, just under $600 [million]’ — $600 million? What?” he responded emphatically. “There’s no way the Mets will sign him for that. There’s no way anyone is signing him for that. Maybe he gets 10 [years]. Maybe he gets 12 [years] at a lower AAV [average annual value]. He’d be lucky if he gets $500 million. Juan Soto is the exception, not the rule. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. needs to lower his expectations.”
Licata called Soto’s contract the “exception,” not the rule. Guerrero doesn’t have Soto’s résumé, so he’ll likely get less than the Mets’ superstar, but you could argue he’s in line for the third-largest contract in MLB history. It’s rare for a player like Guerrero to hit free agency, and if a bidding war breaks out, his price will only go up.
The Canadian-Dominican star first baseman is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2025 MLB season, making this an intriguing storyline to monitor.
Guerrero Expecting a Huge Season
Few things motivate a player like a contract year. Guerrero is playing for a new deal, which could push him to his most productive season yet. He has the talent to win AL MVP, and the odds say he has a solid shot. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, he has the fifth-best odds at +1400.
The Blue Jays aren’t expected to be World Series contenders in 2025, but Guerrero could carry them to the playoffs, adding to his case for a new deal.
One thing working against him, though, is his position. First base is stacked with talent, and teams may not want to hand out a record-breaking deal when they can find a cheaper option. But elite hitters always get paid, and that’s exactly what Guerrero is. If he puts up another MVP-caliber season in 2025 (he has earned votes in three of the last four seasons), he’ll be in line for a historic contract.
