Many insiders remain skeptical as Guerrero deal gets mixed reactions
Photo credit: https://www.cbc.ca
It's been a week since the Toronto Blue Jays first announced a franchise-altering extension with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and few days since it was made official. Even with the press conference today in Toronto, the contract is still the talk of the league, and many agents are skeptical that it will pay off in the long-run.
The pressure on Vlad will be enormous. Although his is batting . 302 with seven RBIs, Vladdy has yet hit a home run, 16 games into the season. It's a question that has plagued Guerrero and the Blue Jays for the last couple of years. Which version of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will show up?
In a recent anonymous poll of agents, many opined that the deal was a win for players, if not necessarily for front offices.
«I like the deal a lot for Vlad. And the best part is the structure. Even in a lockout, he gets his money.»
Another questioned the signing bonus, wondering how much attention it will draw from the Canadian Revenue Agency, which has disputed some signing bonuses in the past.
Another agent admired the deal's creativity.
«The deal is creative. The guy secured $500 million. But it's hard to say that the contract will age well going forward. But he did get that much with a signing bonus not subject to a work stoppage.»
Signing bonuses are not contingent on performance, meaning that even if there is a lockout or work stoppage, Guerrero would still get that portion of his contract, which is $325MM.
Other agents responded that Vlad might have been able to get more in free agency while another said that the difference in value between Guerrero and Soto should have been around $10MM. Instead, it was roughly $16MM.
«I like this deal for the player as I think he could have ended up in the same place value-wise in free agency, too. Thus, it was for Toronto to send a message that they are serious about winning.»
Toronto now has the next decade-plus to make winning a reality. And it will be centred around Vlad.
Source: The Athletic, Sports Illustrated
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 14 | 103 ANSWERS Many insiders remain skeptical as Guerrero deal gets mixed reactions Do you agree that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could have gotten more in free agency? | ||
| Yes, and he should have | 9 | 8.7 % |
| Yes, but it's not worth | 29 | 28.2 % |
| It's just the right amount | 23 | 22.3 % |
| Already an overpay | 42 | 40.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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