Jamie LeBlanc-Imagn Images
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sees his massive contract as a reward for past production
Power-hitting first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a down 2026 season after signing a massive $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. The slugging first baseman apparently doesn’t see an issue with that.
In the first year of the 14-year, $500 million contract that he signed last spring, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .263 with just 9 home runs and a .695 OPS this year, marking the worst statistical full season of his career.
It was a difficult year for the Blue Jays, too, as they were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week just a season after pushing the Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 7 of the World Series.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said his $500 million contract is a reward for past production and not for future performance
In a Spanish-language interview, Guerrero addressed the gap between the money and the production directly, and his answer was eye-opening for baseball fans.
“They didn’t pay me to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already did,” Vladdy said.
“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. 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,” he continued.
“You know how it is with fans, when you’re good, they’re with you 100%. But when you smell like shit, like we like to say here, nobody supports you. The ones who support you are the ones who stay with you. Those are my fans. My family.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opens up on his slump year: “They didn’t pay me to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already did.”
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. They didn’t pay me… pic.twitter.com/ALPlCgmKjw
— Master Flip | Phillip Feliz 🇩🇴 (@Masterflip_) September 23, 2026
Given that he essentially admitted that he sees his contract as an excuse to slack off and not work harder, Guerrero Jr’s comments went viral on social media, with some warning he could be headed down the same path as Pablo Sandoval.
“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,” a popular reply from a Red Sox content creator read.
Good news for Jays fans: Vlad got paid for what he already did so you don’t need to worry about the fact he sucked this year and is under contract until 2075. That’s simply not what the money was for. https://t.co/qtGEcdVOqe
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) September 23, 2026
Bro got paid so he’s fat and happy now 🤣 this is an unbelievable quote lol https://t.co/0k8csOdKul
— JL (@JLas43_) September 23, 2026
I can’t believe he decided to actually say this 😂 https://t.co/bjZZTrsw8B
— MLB Hall of Pretty Good (@hallofgoodpod) September 23, 2026
The MLB playoffs will begin next week on Tuesday, September 29 with four Wild Card round games scheduled to be played.