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The arbitrators ruled in favor of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in his hearing against the Blue Jays, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reports (link). The slugging first baseman will be paid the $19.9 million fee his team is seeking in PRIME. The team had submitted an introductory figure of $18.05 million.
Guerrero’s arbitration case was the most significant of all this offseason. Of the players who came to a hearing, he is in line to easily receive the highest salary. The $1.85 million difference between his filing figure and the team’s proposed rate was the second largest of the offseason; there is a $1.9 million differential between the Rangers and Adolis Garcia presentations.
This is the third of four trips through the process for the three-time All-Star. Guerrero racked up huge profits early in the process. That’s in part because he qualified for arbitration early as a Super Two player during the 2021-22 offseason. It’s also a reflection of the monstrous numbers he posted early in his career, particularly during the 2021 campaign. Guerrero’s second MVP season led to a hefty $7.9 million deal for 2022. He and the Blue Jays reached to a $14.5 million deal last winter, but this time they couldn’t find a mutually acceptable price.
However, that works out well for Guerrero, who locks in a $5.4 million raise compared to last season. While he is coming off a good year, his production was not what he or the team envisioned from one of the most talented offensive players in the game. Guerrero hit 26 home runs and 30 doubles with a .264/.345/.444 batting line in 682 plate appearances.
Toronto’s projected payroll is in the range of $240 million, as calculated by List resource. They will go through the arbitration process with Guerrero once again next offseason. Winning his case this year sets the platform for discussions next winter higher (a player’s previous salaries are a key factor in setting arbitration prices) and he will hit free agency before his age-27 season.
Guerrero was the only Toronto player to attend a hearing this winter. The league’s players have emerged victorious in six consecutive hearings after the teams won the first two. There are still 10 cases pending.