Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract makes Juan Soto’s look even worse

The deal for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is finally complete after an exhausting offseason filled with rumors about the slugger. Toronto spent most of the offseason big game hunting, but ended up missing out on almost all the big name free agents they were connected to. While extending Guerrero doesn't mean that they're a lock to get every big name free agent in the coming offseason, they're fortunate to have such a talented player locked up long term.

As most know, the Blue Jays were a finalist for Juan Soto, who signed a record-breaking, 14-year, $765 million deal with the Mets. That contract ended up being $265 million more than the 14-year, $500 million extension that Guerrero signed

They're both incredibly talented and productive players who are their team's offensive engines, and Soto undoubtedly is better, but it's look more and more like the Blue Jays deal with Guerrero was a steal.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr's contract looks like a steal when compared to Juan Soto's

Both players are 26-years-old with at least six years of MLB experience under their belt, and they're also first bat-first players, so almost all of their value comes from what they do at the plate.

Soto has generated a wRC+ of 158 in his career with 202 home runs and an OPS of .952. He also has a walk rate of 18.8% and a strikeout clip of 17%. Soto also adds 595 RBI and 182 doubles. He is undoubtedly deserving of a monster contract.

In comparison, Guerrero has posted a wRC+ of 137 with 160 home runs and an OPS of .861. His strikeout rate sits at just 15.6% and he has a walk rate of 9.9% to go along with 511 RBI and 180 doubles.

Guerrero has played in 116 less games than Soto, but these numbers are somewhat comparable. Soto definitely has better numbers thanks to his incredible wRC+ and OPS, but Guerrero is not too far behind.

Guerrero's number got a bump thanks to his incredible 2024 season (.323 average, 30 home runs, 103 RBI) but Soto was somehow even better (.288 average, 41 home runs, 109 RBI).

And, in the end, the Blue Jays were only able to sign Guerrero to his extension because they missed out on Soto in free agency. While it would be great to imagine Soto sending baseballs into the Rogers Centre seats, getting Guerrero on a contract that has the same amount of years and is $265 million cheapers should be chalked up as a win for Blue Jays fans.