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Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has made some massive changes to the MLB
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The Toronto Blue Jays likely exhaled in relief when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally launched his first home run of the season on Wednesday, breaking through after a slow start.
That was nothing compared to the collective sigh that followed his monumental 14-year, $500 million contract extension, one that secures the superstar slugger's future in Toronto and likely keeps him in a Blue Jays uniform for the rest of his career.
Jim Bowden, a former MLB executive, believes that the baseball market has been permanently reshaped after the Toronto Blue Jays signed their franchise cornerstone to a massive contract extension.
The deal has not only raised the bar for future negotiations but also signaled a shift in how teams may approach locking up elite talent long-term.
Brad Wakai from Toronto Blue Jays On Si writes that when a deal wasn't finalized before the season began, there was genuine concern that the face of the Blue Jays franchise might leave, potentially throwing the organization into uncertainty about how to build a competitive team moving forward.
"Now, with Guerrero locked up for the long-term, they at least have one building block in place to build around with some other star players in the mix, as well. But what Guerrero did not only impacted Toronto; it impacted the future of Major League Baseball." -Wakai
Former MLB executive Jim Bowden believes Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s extension will redefine the market for elite players moving forward. The superstar's deal, nearly $200 million more than previous top contracts, sets a new benchmark and could dramatically shift how teams approach negotiations with their franchise talents.
"Guerrero should have been compared to players like Manny Machado, Rafael Devers, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Trea Turner, Fernando Tatis Jr., Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge, all of whom signed contracts between $300 million and $365 million. The Guerrero signing means that impending free agent Kyle Tucker can now expect a contract north of $500 million if he has a strong season. Vlad changed the market for star players forever." -Bowden
If teams are willing to offer massive, long-term deals to keep their core intact early, players might feel less pressure to hit the open market to get their big payday, especially if it comes with long-term security and the chance to stay in a familiar environment.
"Will players no longer feel the need to hit the open market to get their monster payday?" -Wakai
That's the big question now. With Guerrero Jr. securing a historic payday without ever testing free agency, it could signal a shift in thinking for star players across the league.
The move by the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. undoubtedly provides added motivation for other top-tier arbitration-eligible players to seek lucrative long-term deals with their own clubs.
Still, it's uncertain if other organizations will adopt the same strategy Toronto used.
Source:
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
Former MLB Executive Believes Toronto Blue Jays Star Changed the Market 'Forever'
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
Former MLB Executive Believes Toronto Blue Jays Star Changed the Market 'Forever'
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