Blue Jays' $500M Vladimir Guerrero Jr. draws painful comparison to ex-Red Sox star

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Blue Jays' $500M Vladimir Guerrero Jr. draws painful comparison to ex-Red Sox star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a tough start to his 14-year, $500 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The first baseman has batted .263/.335/.360 with just nine home runs and 56 RBIs in 142 games in 2026. The lack of power production has immediately raised concerns about his $500 million contract, signed in April 2025. Many have begun to question if Guerrero Jr. deserved that kind of contract.

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During his latest interview with Dominican reporter Veronika Batista, Guerrero Jr. explained the real reason behind signing with the Blue Jays. Contrary to the general belief that players are expected to deliver in the near future after signing big deals, the Blue Jays star said the contract was about his past achievements.

"I want people to understand one thing: The money they gave me wasn't for what I'm going to do; it was for what I already did," Guerrero said in Spanish. "They didn't pay me because I'm going to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already accomplished.

"People are confused about that, but I think the same way they do. Like, sometimes I even say to myself: 'Bro, they gave you all that money and you're out here doing nothing.' I try."

Red Sox analyst Jared Carrabis was shocked to learn about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s comment and compared the Blue Jays star to Pablo Sandoval.

"I love Vladdy. Huge fan since he was in Double-A," Carrabis wrote on X. "But my stomach dropped when I read this quote. This is exactly how it started with Pablo Sandoval in Boston, only his contract was a third of the years and a fifth of the money. Awful to think this, even worse to say it."

The comparison strikes out because Sandoval is well known for underdelivering right after signing a big contract with the Red Sox. Sandoval signed a five-year, $95 million contract with Boston before the 2015 season. However, his tenure was marked by poor offensive production and injuries, leading to his release in 2017.

But with Guerrero Jr., it is slightly different. The Blue Jays first baseman had an explosive season in 2025. He followed it up with a dominant postseason, helping his team reach the World Series. However, the 2025 season was supposed to be the final year of his previous contract before he could become a free agent. Toronto extended him in April 2025, but the contract was going to start in 2026.

MORE: Blue Jays fans won't want to hear Vladmir Guerrero Jr.'s take on massive contract

Vladimir Guerrero defends $500M contract comment

The Blue Jays star later clarified his controversial comments and explained what he actually meant.

"That was a quote from the interview when she asked me how I felt about this year," Guerrero told reporters. "I said that, obviously, I feel really bad about the year that I had, that I couldn't help my team get to the postseason. I said I felt - that it's my personal opinion - that every player gets paid for what they have done. With that said, you guys have got to remember that I signed my contract at the beginning of last year, then I did put up a good year. Then the kind of playoffs that I had to help the team get into the World Series."

When asked if he stood by his words, Guerrero Jr. affirmed and said he doesn't regret saying so in the first place.

"No, I don't regret myself. I'm not lying with what I say. I understand some fans, they don't understand the way and what I was trying to say specifically, but what I said is the way I feel."

Guerrero Jr. might be frustrated with so much noise surrounding his underwhelming production. This could be why the Blue Jays star is throwing in a reality check about what he did last year to explain why he deserved the $500 million contract. 

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