Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Issues Apology for Controversial $500 Million Contract Comments

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. penned down an enormous 14-year, $500 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays in April 2025.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Issues Apology for Controversial $500 Million Contract Comments

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Image via Imago)

Earlier this week, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. faced huge flak following his controversial comments regarding his $500 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. On Friday, the first baseman issued an apology regarding this.

In an interview in Spanish with Veronica Batista, Guerrero Jr. opened up about his slump this season and his contract. In April 2025, the Blue Jays locked him down on a massive 14-year, $500 million deal.

While speaking about his contract, the 6-time All-Star claimed that he got that contract for the work he had done. He also said that he was not going to hit 40 home runs each season.

The money they gave me wasn’t for what I’m going to do. It was for what I already did.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said

These comments from him did not sit well with the fans. Before their game on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, the Dominican-Canadian international doubled down on his take and expressed that he had no regrets regarding what he said.

No, I don’t regret myself. I’m not lying with what I say.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said via Mitch Bannon

Fans on social media lashed out at the Blue Jays superstar after this. After a day off on Thursday, Guerrero Jr. opened up about the comments on Friday and apologized.

The main reason I’m here is because I regret my comments and what I said the other day. That’s what I’m here for. The main reason is because I feel, from my heart, that my fans and my teammates need an apology from me.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said through his interpreter via MLB.com

The 27-year-old added that his Hall of Fame father, Vladimir Guerrero, told him that his comments were wrong and that he needed to apologize.

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Blue Jays manager John Schneider calls Vladimir Guerrero Jr. one of the “best” teammates

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. faced severe criticism regarding his recent comments. After he apologized for his choice of words, his manager John Schneider called him one of the “best” teammates that he had seen and supported him.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Image via X/@TalkinBaseball_)

Schneider expressed that Guerrero Jr. could be misunderstood sometimes and that some things can get lost in translation.

I think that he can be misunderstood sometimes. He is one of the best teammates that I’ve ever seen. He definitely puts in the work to post every day. Some things can get lost in translation.

John Schneider said regarding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as per MLB.com

The 2026 season has been a disappointing one for Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays. After being 2 outs and inches away from winning the World Series last year, the Canadian side failed to qualify for the playoffs and is at the bottom of the AL East standings with a 78-82 record.

Guerrero Jr., who might have won the World Series MVP last year had they won the title, has just 9 home runs this season. The biggest concern has been his home run drought at Rogers Centre. He only has 1 home run this year in Toronto, which came earlier this month.

He and his team will now look to put his behind and move on. Their 6-5 win on Friday night snapped a 3-game losing run. With 2 games remaining in the regular season, they will look to finish the season on a high.

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