Former Blue Jays star baffled by team’s treatment of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
'Sometimes as a player, when you don’t see the organization try to keep you, you get a little angry'
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Teoscar Hernandez: He’s just like us!
Add the former Toronto Blue Jays slugger to the large group of fans who can’t understand the franchise’s treatment of one the biggest stars it has ever produced: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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Former Blue Jays star baffled by team’s treatment of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Back to video
Hernandez, who was traded by the Jays to Seattle after the 2022 season, is befuddled as to why the franchise hasn’t locked up Vladdy to the massive contract extension that fans believe he deserves.
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Guerrero, who finished sixth in MVP voting last year, signed a one-year deal with the Jays worth $28.5 million earlier this month to avoid arbitration, but will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season if an extension isn’t reached.
During an interview with Foul Territory, Hernandez shared his confusion about the entire situation, and said he feared that Vladdy could be angered by the team dragging its feet.
“I don’t know why there hasn’t been an extension,” Hernandez said. “Sometimes as a player, when you don’t see the organization try to keep you, you get a little angry. I think that’s normal. I don’t think the Blue Jays want that to happen to Vladdy.
“Hopefully, they can make it work because he wants to stay, he wants to stay with the Blue Jays and being there his whole career.
“But at the end of the day, it’s business and you have to do what’s best for you and your family.”
Guerrero Jr. had one of the best seasons of his career in 2024, hitting .323 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs in 159 games.
The Jays have picked up their activity in the free-agent market this month. The team added former Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander on a massive five-year, $92.5-million contract and reportedly signed three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to a one-year deal worth $15.5 million.
As for Hernandez, he has done very well for himself since being shipped off by the Jays,
After a decent season in Seattle, the outfielder joined the Dodgers for 2024 and hit a career-high 33 home runs, making the NL all-star team and helping Los Angeles win the World Series.
After briefly dabbling in free agency, the 32-year-old outfielder re-signed with the Dodgers, inking a three-year, $66-million deal.
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