Blue Jays Avoid Arbitration With All Their Eligible Players

Mar 26, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) have some fun before the start of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) have some fun before the start of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Monday evening it was Ross Stripling avoiding arbitration, then this morning it was Matt Chapman, and now both Teoscar Hernandez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr and the rest of the Blue Jays players eligible for arbitration are locked in for the year.

The Toronto Blue Jays tweeted out Tuesday night that the club had signed, along with the four noted players, Danny Jansen, Cavan Biggio, Adam Cimber, Trevor Richards, Trent Thornton, Ryan Borucki, and Tim Mayza to contracts for the 2022 season.

EPSN’s Jeff Passan reported that the one-year deal for Hernandez will be $10.65 Million.  His new salary comes in at more than double his 2021 wage that saw him paid $4.32 Million and the raise is thanks to his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award.  Hernandez flirted with a .300 average last year while having his first career 30+ home run and 100+ RBI seasons, as he finished with 32 home runs, 116 RBI and a slash line of .296/.346/.524.

Hernandez will have one more season left of arbitration before he becomes a free agent.  The 29-year old right fielder was acquired at the 2017 Trade Deadline by Ross Atkins, along with Nori Aoki in exchange for Francisco Liriano, which today looks like an absolute steal.  Hernandez currently sits 20th All-Time in Blue Jays home runs and if he can hit another 30 this year he will jump up into the Top 10.

Ross Atkins and the Blue Jays were busy Tuesday afternoon as they finished signing all arbitration-eligible players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez

MLB’s Mark Feinsand was able to report that Guerrero Jr’s contract will be for $7.9 Million for 2022.  This was Guerrero Jr’s first year of salary arbitration and MLBTR identified that the team has control of him through 2025.  You have to imagine that the Blue Jays will be looking to lock him up long-term in the near future.

Guerrero Jr is a fan favourite and endeared himself to fans even more this Spring Training when he made comments that he was going to be even better in 2022.  Guerrero Jr. finished the 2021 season as a Silver Slugger winner and the runner-up for AL-MVP after leading the league in home runs (48), OBP (.401), SLG (.601) and OPS (1.002), along with Runs (123).  If he is going to have an even better season than that, he will be knocking down Blue Jays records.

Next. Blue Jays sign Matt Chapman to a two-year deal. dark

The Blue Jays now have no other outstanding contracts to settle from their 26-man roster and now all the club has to do is focus on getting a good start to the season.