With the 2024 MLB season just around the corner, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has won his arbitration case. The 24-year-old first baseman is being awarded $19.9 million this season. The Blue Jays originally offered him $18.05 million, but Vladdy asked for $19.9 million. While Vladdy did have an up-and-down 2023 season, he still put up decent numbers with a .264 batting average, 26 home runs, and 94 RBI. His best season was back in 2021 when he hit 48 home runs and recorded 111 RBI.
Arbitrators have ruled in favour of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., per @ShiDavidi.
He will earn $19.9M this upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/UGBW8zU3Qg
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 8, 2024
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Awarded $19.9 Million In Arbitration Case
Arbitration Cases this Season
According to the MLB Arbitration Tracker, many MLB players avoided arbitration this season. Several Blue Jays players avoided arbitration such as Alejandro Kirk, Jordan Romano, Danny Jansen, Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, Genesis Cabrera, Cavan Biggio, Daulton Varsho, Nate Pearson, Trevor Richards, and Santiago Espinal.
- Alejandro Kirk: $2,800,000
- Jordan Romano:$7,750,000
- Danny Jansen:$5,200,000
- Erik Swanson:$2,750,000
- Tim Mayza: $3,590,000
- Genesis Cabrera: $1,512,500
- Cavan Biggio: $4,210,000
- Daulton Varsho:$5,650,000
- Nate Pearson:$800,000
- Trevor Richards: $2,150,000
- Santiago Espinal:$2,725,000
Time for Vladdy to Silence the Haters
Players factually should usually win their arbitration cases most of the time. Many Twitter users are already critical of him winning his arbitration because they don’t believe he deserves it based on his 2023 performance. But at the end of the day, the Blue Jays wouldn’t want to lose Vladdy and worse yet have to face him. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been working hard this offseason by getting into shape and teammates Alejandro Kirk and Alek Manoah have been doing the same. Jose Berrios was also seen doing the same right when the 2023 offseason began.
The Blue Jays can use the 2023 season to learn from the unforced mistakes that they made throughout the season. Their biggest issue not only in 2023 but for the past several seasons has been hitting with RISP. The Blue Jays also made some unfortunate base-running mistakes that cost them runs and games. If the Blue Jays can improve on these issues they will have a much improved season. At the end of the day, there is no “I” in team and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not the only player on the team. It was a combined team 2023 team misfortune and all the players know that they need to step it up. Former MLB player David Ortiz mentioned that he believes that Vladdy will have a grand 2024 season. It’s easy to pick on players, but people forget how tough the game of baseball really is.
That’s A Wrap!
Congratulations to Vladdy on winning his arbitration case. Only time will tell how Vladdy does in the 2024 season. But he is projected to have a better season than last year. With the additions of Justin Turner, IKF (Isiah Kiner-Falefa), and Yariel Rodriguez the Blue Jays are set to turn things around in the 2024 season. Also, with Kevin Kiermaier re-signing with the Blue Jays, fans are excited for Toronto to make a deeper push in the postseason after being swept by the Minnesota Twins in the 2023 postseason.
Photo Credit: © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
