Even though Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s impressive 22-game hitting streak ended with the Toronto Blue Jays’ loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, the first baseman’s remarkable performance during the streak placed him in elite company.
During that stretch, Guerrero posted a .494/.558/1.025 slash line with 10 home runs, 22 RBIs, and 24 runs scored. He became the first player since 1937 to record 35 or more hits, 10 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs, and 10 or more walks over a 20-game span. The only other players to achieve this before Guerrero were Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio.
With just one year left in arbitration before becoming a free agent in 2026, TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips suggests the Blue Jays will need to invest heavily to secure Guerrero’s extension.
“At just 25 years old, Guerrero is likely looking at a 10-year contract,” Phillips said on TSN Overdrive. “He’ll aim for an annual salary of around $30 million. While Miguel Cabrera is the only first baseman to have secured such a deal, I expect Guerrero’s contract to fall in the $25 to $30 million range annually, likely spanning 10 years or more.
“You can’t afford to lose him. Toronto needs a centerpiece, and it’s challenging to attract top-tier free agents to the city. I would go all in, even if it means offering $30 million a year over 10 or 11 years. This is the right time for the Blue Jays to make that move.”
Phillips also emphasized the urgency for the Blue Jays’ front office to begin contract talks with Guerrero as soon as the season ends, to avoid the risk of losing him to free agency.
“It’s crucial for the Blue Jays to engage early,” Phillips said. “They need to start discussions as soon as the season is over. This offseason is pivotal because if negotiations drag into the season, Guerrero might decide to wait it out and test free agency, where his price will only rise.”
Phillips compared Guerrero’s potential contract to deals signed by other elite first basemen, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman (six years/$127M, $27 million AAV) and the Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson (eight years/$168M, $21 million AAV).
Currently, Guerrero is hitting .319 with 23 home runs and 76 RBIs, and he’s on track for his best season since 2021 when he hit 48 homers and finished second in the AL MVP race behind Shohei Ohtani. He ranks seventh in the AL in Offensive Wins Above Replacement (4.5), fourth in batting average (.319), seventh in OPS (.934), and second in hits (144), trailing only Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
Phillips believes Guerrero’s recent adjustments at the plate will help him maintain his elite performance for the rest of the season.
“I think he’ll continue to be a top-tier hitter for the rest of the year,” Phillips said. “His confidence is through the roof right now, and it shows in his posture and overall demeanor.”
Throughout his six-year career, Guerrero has accumulated 153 home runs, 480 RBIs, and 446 runs scored, with a .285/.360/.498 slash line. He’s a four-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, and a Silver Slugger recipient.
