One MLB insider isn't a fan of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension 

It may have took a while, but the Toronto Blue Jays were finally able to sign star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension. The deal was worth $500 million over the next 14 years, practically keeping Guerrero as a Blue Jay for life.

The deal ends an exhausting process that reached a fever pitch after the sides couldn't come to an agreement ahead of Guerrero's personal deadline set at the start of spring training.

The deal has also been a resounding success. Jays fans love it, the Jays organization is likely overjoyed and the entire city of Toronto is abuzz. However, there was one MLB insider that wasn’t too impressed with the deal.

One MLB insider wasn’t a fan of Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contract extension 

In a new article for the The Athletic (subscription required), MLB insider Jim Bowden listed all of the extensions inked in MLB over the past month ranked them based on which ones were best.

And, somehow and some way, Guerrero’s extension with the Blue Jays came in 11th out of 11 players. That’s right, you read that correctly, in last place among the group.

Players such as Kristian Campbell, Lawrence Butler and Brandon Pfaadt all ranked ahead of Guerrero. Heck, even his teammate Alejandro Kirk (who signed a five-year, $58 million deal) came in eighth. So what gives?

Well, for one thing, Bowden believed that the Jays immensely overpaid for Guerrero and now will be locked into him thanks to a full no-trade clause.

It's clear that Bowden doesn't think that the blooming 26-year-old superstar belongs in the same talent category as a Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto. In his article, Bowden says he would have give Guerrero something in the $300-$350 million range to join the likes of Bryce Harper, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado while remaining below players like Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts.

In summary, he faulted the Jays for not getting this deal done two years ago when it could have been done at a discount.

What Bowden didn’t take into consideration was the fact that Guerrero is just now entering his prime. On top of that, it wasn’t too long ago when he finished as a finalist to Ohtani for American League MVP.

When you take a look at the upcoming free agent class for the next offseason, Guerrero would have far and away the best player in the ground, and would have been highly coveted by contenders around the league.

That lack of competition on the market could have caused his price tag to shoot way up, perhaps even beyond the $500 million he signed for.

It might not be the best extension in the world, but it should be higher on the list.

It may seem like an overpay right now, but if Guerrero ends up being the game-changer he's expected to be, everyone will be praising the Jays’ bold move a few years from now.