Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. avoid arbitration with $28.5M deal

Field Level Media|published: 01/10/2025, 2:02am EST

Sep 24, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) hits a two run RBI double against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

One year after earning a record salary through arbitration, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided another boardroom faceoff by agreeing to a one-year, $28.5 million deal on Thursday.

The pact is the third largest ever landed by an arbitration-eligible player, trailing only the $31 million that Juan Soto got from the New York Yankees last year and the $30 million that Shohei Ohtani received from the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.

Guerrero, 25, made $19.9 million in 2024 after the arbitration panel went with that figure over the $18.05 million that the Blue Jays had offered.

Toronto got its money's worth, as Guerrero turned in a fourth straight All-Star season, captured his second Silver Slugger Award and finished sixth in American League MVP voting. The first baseman hit .323 with a .396 on-base percentage, a .544 slugging percentage, 30 homers and 103 RBIs in 159 games.

Through six major league seasons, all with the Blue Jays, Guerrero owns a .288/.363/.500 batting line with 160 homers and 507 RBIs in 819 games.

Thursday was the deadline for unsigned arbitration-eligible players and teams to exchange figures.

--Field Level Media