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Guerrero Stands Firm on Contract Comments Amid Struggles
Confirmed
In Short: Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is standing by his recent comments about his $500 million contract, made during an interview with Spanish podcaster Veronica Batista.
Guerrero told Batista that the contract was based on his past performance, not future expectations. He said, 'They didn’t pay me to hit 40 every year. The contract was based on what I did, not necessarily for what I’m going to do.
When asked if he regrets the comments, Guerrero remained firm. 'No, I don't regret myself. I'm not lying with what I say,' he said through an interpreter.
Guerrero's 2026 season has been a struggle, with a slash line of.263/.335/.360 and only nine home runs in 142 games. This follows a historic post-season run in 2025 where he carried a 1.289 OPS and hit eight home runs through Game 7 of the World Series.
The Blue Jays have faced challenges this season, with Guerrero receiving boos from fans at Rogers Centre. Manager John Schneider noted the 'unfortunate timing' of Guerrero's comments but acknowledged his efforts to improve.
Guerrero expressed responsibility for the team's fate, saying, 'I’m taking big responsibility' and 'I've got to get better.' He added, 'I've got to obviously put up better numbers to help the team win.
Guerrero emphasized that he signed his contract after a strong 2025 season, which helped the team reach the World Series. He plans to prepare himself physically and mentally for the upcoming off-season.
What this adds
The comments have sparked a social media firestorm, with Guerrero clarifying that he earned the contract based on past performance, not future expectations.
Background
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has called for slowing down AI development, citing risks of human extinction, as lawmakers express concerns over recent hiring standards.
What's confirmed
- 4, Guerrero was asked about his 2026 struggles in the first season of his 14-year, $500-million extension with the Blue Jays.
What's still developing
- Amid a trying season for both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays, the franchise first baseman is standing by some viral comments he recently made during an interview with Spanish podcaster Veronica Batista.
- After a 1-for-4 afternoon in the first half of a doubleheader on Wednesday, Guerrero saw his slash line on the season move to.263/.335/.360 while he continues to sit on nine homers in 142 games.
- At times this season, Guerrero has received boos from the Rogers Centre faithful as the Blue Jays were unable to string much together at any point of the summer.
- Guerrero doubles down on contract comments: ‘What I said is the way I feel’ | ESPN La Crosse 105.5 You are using an outdated browser.
- In an interview with Spanish-language reporter Veronica Batista, Guerrero was asked about his struggles in the wake of the 14-year, $500 million extension he signed in April 2025 (that deal goes from 2026 to '39).
- But it was a preview clip that circulated online with Guerrero saying he received his $500-million, 14-year contract not “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,” that triggered a social media firestorm that neither he, nor his team, needed.
- Even if the intention behind his comments was somewhat lost in translation — what he seems to be trying to get across is that he earned the contract, not that he doesn’t need to live up to it — there was no chance of the message sitting well given the down season he had, and its impact on the Blue Jays’ fortunes.