Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has defended his disappointing 2026 season, clarifying comments about his $500 million contract that drew widespread attention online. According to multiple outlets, Guerrero said the money was awarded based on his past accomplishments, not future expectations.
"The contract I got was based on what I did, not necessarily for what I'm going to do," Guerrero said, per Reddit posts capturing his full remarks. "I understand why the fans believe it's the other way around. Sometimes I think that way too, like 'oh they give me this money and I'm not doing enough', but you know I try my best and I'm working hard."
The comments came after the Blue Jays officially fell out of playoff contention, with Guerrero having put up what CBS Sports described as a "disappointing" season marked by diminished power numbers. Yahoo Sports noted there have been "few players in baseball more disappointing than the Blue Jays star this season." Sportsnet reported that Guerrero addressed the media after the team's elimination, discussing both his 2026 performance and the viral nature of his contract remarks.