There was an uncomfortable air surrounding the arbitration case between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his team, the Toronto Blue Jays. The fear of a change in the relationship dynamics is a constant theme of every arbitration battle. Luckily, this time the story was different, as after a rather swift hearing, the decision was announced and it will surely send a smile across Guerrero’s face.

The star will remain with the Blue Jays at least for another year. However, with his free agency fast approaching, the struggle of the Jays isn’t over yet. With the franchise at risk of losing Guerrero and Bo Bichette after 2025, there’s a tough question that the Blue Jays will have to answer soon. Before that narrative unfolds, let’s zoom in on numbers.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. re-enters The Blue Birds’ nest

During the arbitration talks, the Blue Jays and Guerrero were almost $2 million apart. While the slugger filed for $19.9 million, the Jays set their limit to $18.05 million. With both of them not able to get into an agreement, arbitration became their only option. Eventually, it was Guerrero Jr. who won the case and was awarded a $19.9 million deal. The Athletic reported, “The $19.9 million Guerrero will make during the 2024 season is the largest salary ever rewarded through a hearing.”

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This is the third time Guerrero has had an arbitration salary, but the first time he had to fight a case for it. With his 2023 salary being $14.5 million, the present pay represents an increase of $5.4 million. The previous record salary was held by Teoscar Hernandez, who was awarded a $14 million salary last year. 

A significant increase for Guerrero was expected, even though the slugger has dropped off from his extraordinary highs of 2021. Even then, between 2022 and 2023, Guerrero has hit 58 home runs and has maintained a .804 OPS. He’s been a cornerstone in one of the most successful periods of Blue Jays in recent times. 

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Still, the journey is far from over as the Jays hope that Guerrero will sign an extension before the end of the 2025 season.

The dilemma of the Toronto Blue Jays 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. along with Bo Bichette, represents the core batting lineup of the Blue Jays. With both players getting ready to enter free agency in 2025, the Jays have a rather limited window. The team is trying to enter into a win-now mode but is also hoping to get these stars to sign an extension. But what if they don’t? Would the Jays be forced to trade their biggest stars somewhere down the line? 

The Jays’ dilemma is growing stronger because their present offseason hasn’t been the most star-studded affair. While they have improved, their failure to sign any game-changing star has left the fans worried. With the clock ticking on the Jays, this story is bound to get more interesting soon.

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