Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Awarded MLB-Record $19.9M Salary in Arbitration

Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will make $19.9 million in the 2024 season after winning his arbitration case on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

The Blue Jays had made an $18.05 million arbitration offer, but the three-person panel of Scott Buchheit, Walt De Treux and Jeanne Charles sided with Guerrero's request. It's the highest salary arbitration ever awarded in MLB history.

Guerrero, 24, has quickly emerged as one of baseball's most feared sluggers, hitting .264 with 26 homers, 94 RBI, 76 runs and a .788 OPS in 2023. By his own lofty standards it was something of a down year—he had 48 homers and an incredible 1.002 OPS in 2021 and 32 homers and a .818 OPS in 2022.

He's now a three-time All-Star and was the AL MVP runner-up in the 2021 season. He also won a Gold Glove in 2022 for his defensive work at first base, is the defending Home Run Derby champion and will serve as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 24.

So yes, Guerrero has quickly emerged as a bonafide star in his five-year career, and was a worthy candidate to set a new arbitration record.

That process has been good to the young slugger, who agreed to a $7.9 million figure in 2022 and a $14.5 million deal ahead of last season. He is eligible for arbitration one more time before becoming an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2026 season.

It would make sense for the Blue Jays to offer him an extension in the next year or so, though Guerrero may seek out the potential bidding war he could create in free agency as a premier slugger in his prime. He certainly will be in the market for a major deal, especially if he returns to the level he showed in 2021.

He's already told reporters he's made some adjustments to his swing, so a monster season could be incoming.

"I improved my mechanics to have as little movement as possible," Guerrero said. "To the naked eye, you might not even notice. I can tell the difference because I can feel it."

The Blue Jays will be hoping opposing pitchers feel it too.