“It will be the last chance for the club to sign an extension.”
Did anyone expect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (26, Toronto Blue Jays), the son of a monster, to make a big turnaround? Perhaps the 2023-2024 offseason was the best chance for Toronto to sign a proper extension contract.
Bleacher Report threw an interesting assumption to each Major League club on Monday (Korea time). He asked Toronto what it would have been like to sign an extension contract with Guerrero one year ago. Guerrero slowed down with a batting average of 0.264 on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.444 with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs in 156 games in the 2023 season. His value seemed to have declined since he ranked second in the American League MVP race in the 2021 season.
However, Guerrero had a batting average of 0.324 with 30 homers, 102 RBIs, 97 runs and a on-base percentage of 0.397 in 155 games this season. He is the second-most hit in the American League, the third-most on-base percentage, the sixth-most hit in slugging percentage, the seventh-highest in runs scored, and the eighth-most hit in RBIs. He is one of the top-class hitters in major areas.
When the 2025 season is over, Guerrero will become a free agent. If Toronto wants to retool or rebuild Guerrero, it is best to sign an extension contract during the 2024-2025 offseason. However, although the value has increased this year from a year ago, it is obvious that negotiations will be difficult. 스포츠토토
Toronto’s extended contract for Guerrero and Bob Bissett is something to forget. As a result, many U.S. and Canadian media point out that Toronto has been passive. In the case of Bissett, who has been slowed down by injuries and sluggishness this year, a three-year, 33.6 million-dollar contract was signed until next year, so Toronto needs to make all-out efforts to keep Guerrero. If not, it is right to get a counter benefit in a trade before qualifying for FA.
“Guerrero had a bad year in 2023,” Blitzer Report said. “It may have been a perfect opportunity for Toronto to exert some influence in contract talks. The two sides failed to reach an agreement last offseason, and in July, they said they were “not particularly close.” In the process, his profitability continued to rise.”
At the same time, Bleacher Report said, “This off-season will be the club’s last opportunity to confirm the extension contract until 2025, when it enters its last contract year and goes to the FA market.” If Toronto decides to sign an extension contract, it is natural to give better treatment than a year ago.
Guerrero’s annual salary this year alone is 1.9 million dollars, the highest ever after a salary adjustment. Even if he signs a one-year contract after the end of this season, his annual salary will significantly increase. Some analysts in the U.S. say that if he enters the free agent market next year, he can sign a contract worth 200 to 300 million dollars. He has posted good performance this year, and his value can increase further next year if he does well. He is only 26 years old.