Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defended his $500 million extension, saying he was paid for past performance, not to hit 40 homers every year. Analysts Chris Rose and Trevor Plouffe criticized his remarks. Guerrero hit nine homers with a .695 OPS in 2026.
Toronto signed Guerrero to a 14-year, $500 million extension in April 2025 that runs through the 2039 season and includes a full no-trade clause. Guerrero reportedly told Veronica Batista the team paid him for what he had already done; Plouffe said players should avoid discussing contracts and called the interview “stupid.”
Guerrero hit 23 home runs and posted an .848 OPS the previous season. Recurrent back tightness forced him out of a game against Texas and kept him out of two games against Baltimore. The Orioles swept Toronto, eliminating the Blue Jays; Toronto had entered the series three games behind the final AL Wild Card spot.
