It turns out Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s asking price was never too much for the Blue Jays

​Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has officially secured the bag.

In this case, the bag is a monumental 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays — a deal not only cements his place as the face of the franchise but will also ripples throughout Major League Baseball.

Guerrero got exactly what he wanted in a record-setting contract that both reflects his value and keeps him in a city he considers home. And while he may be worth even more, expectations for him are still sky high.

This extension is the third-largest in MLB history, trailing only Juan Soto's $765 million deal with the New York Mets and Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Notably, Guerrero's deal includes no deferred payments, underscoring the Blue Jays' commitment to their star player. ​

For the Blue Jays, this deal is a double-edged sword. While they secure a generational talent, the financial commitment is substantial. The deal also raises questions about their ability to retain other key players, notably Bo Bichette. Bichette, a two-time All-Star is set to become a free agent after the season.

The allocation of such a significant portion of the payroll to Guerrero, combined with reports indicating the Blue Jays haven't spoke to Bichette about an extension, indicate change is coming at shortstop as well.

This situation puts Toronto in a challenging position, as they're potentially facing the departure of another homegrown talent, which mean they'll likely needing to seriously consider trading him before the trade deadline this year.

In the broader context, Guerrero Jr.'s extension reflects a trend of escalating contracts for MLB's elite players. It sets a precedent that could influence future negotiations and underscores the financial muscle required to retain top talent. For the Blue Jays, the hope is that this investment translates into on-field success, an increased ability to attract more top talent and championships.​

In reality, Guerrero achieved his goal with this landmark contract while also his future in Toronto. And while the Blue Jays made a bold statement about their commitment to winning, this move also brings with it another set of challenges, particularly regarding roster flexibility and the retention of other key players like Bichette.

Let's call a spade a spade, this extension will also likely lead to even more spending so the Blue Jays can maximize their time with Guerrero.

Only time will tell if this gamble pays off for Toronto.