The Toronto Blue Jays now know the price tag for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic is reporting the four-time All-Star is seeking at least $500 million in present value (subscription required) from the Blue Jays. The present value part of the contract is an important note.
Present value means before any deferments are made like the baseball world has seen with Shohei Ohtani’s monstrous deal. If any money would be deferred, Guerrero Jr. would need to be compensated beyond the figure above.
Mark Blinch/Getty Images
This news comes after the slugger turned down a recent deal from the Blue Jays between $400 million and $450 million.
The pressure now shifts to the Blue Jays as Guerrero Jr. awaits a response. Let’s break down just how much extra per year the organization would have to cough up for the two-time Silver Slugger.
Guerrero previously told reporters he’s looking for a contract between 14 or 15 years long. Hypothetically, if the Blue Jays’ recent offer was $400 million after deferments, it means the Blue Jays would need to cough up an extra $6.67 million to meet Guerrero’s demands — and they should do it without hesitation.
In the last four seasons, Vladdy Jr. has posted at least 25 home runs and 90 RBI every season. Three of those seasons saw him produce 30-plus home runs, while he drove in over 100 runs in two of those years.
Pure hitters like this don’t come around regularly. The Blue Jays have a generational talent in their laps and need to do everything they can to not screw it up.
More MLB: Blue Jays Could Sign $50 Million Former Yankee to Boost Lineup in Weaker AL East