Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is standing by comments he made during a recent interview regarding his performance this season after signing a 14-year, $500 million contract last year.
In an interview with Spanish-language reporter Veronica Batista, Guerrero was asked about his struggles in the wake of the 14-year, $500 million extension he signed in April 2025 (that deal goes from 2026 to '39). Guerrero told Batista that he was being paid for what he had done in the past, not what he was going to do in the future.
The comments received backlash from fans.
"I want people to understand one thing. The money they gave me wasn't for what I'm going to do. It was for what I already did," Guerrero told Batista. "They didn't pay me because I'm going to hit 40 [home runs] every year. They paid me for what I already accomplished. People are confused about that, but I think the same way they do. Like, sometimes I even say to myself, 'Bro, they gave you all that money and you're out here doing nothing.' But I try.
"You know how it is with fans, when you're good, they're with you 100%. But when you smell like s---, like we like to say here, nobody supports you. The ones who support you are the ones who stay with you. Those are my real fans and I considered them my family."
Asked about those comments after the Blue Jays, the reigning AL champions, were eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday, Guerrero stood by them.
"No, I don't regret myself. I'm not lying with what I say," Guerrero said through an interpreter. "I understand some fans, they don't understand the way and what I was trying to say specifically, but what I said is the way I feel."
Guerrero is having one of his worst seasons at the plate, hitting .263 with nine home runs and 56 RBIs in 142 games.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Guerrero's comments had "unfortunate timing" and that the slugger had been working hard to improve this season.
"The player, the person who I know in Vlad, he by no means is just saying, 'OK, I got paid and I'm good with that,'" Schneider said. "I know the type of worker he is, the type of player he is, the type of teammate he is. He's going to continue to work to have a better year than he did personally this year, and to be the guy we saw a lot last year in the postseason who helped get us to the World Series."