The Future is Vlad
There's no turning away from the Blue Jays homegrown star
It has become far more than just about one player, one contract. The decision on an extension for Vlad Guerrero Jr. by the Blue Jays will have a ripple effect on the future of the franchise, either raising it up or spiralling down. Without their star player to lead the offence and act as a lightning rod for recruitment, the expensive renovations at Rogers Centre may be for naught. By 2026, attending Blue Jays game at the renovated Rogers Pleasure Palace may be like going to an Amish Christmas party. You know the furniture will be solid, but that you, also, won’t have much fun. Mal and I discuss what has become a key moment in, recent, franchise history, as we offer up a high-priced, but reasonable in this market, solution that would make Vlad one of the highest paid players in the game. Timing is everything. Exit Philosophy also offers up a Top 5 list of Blue Jays catchers through the years. We discuss my 2025 Hall-of-Fame ballot, the impact of Andres Gimenez with the Jays, and much more.
I think we'd all like to hear about your bad experience at an Amish Christmas party.
Interestingly, it was far from clear that Vladdy was the long-term (expensive) future of this franchise. Fans would have been aghast if last off-season they offered him $21MM in 2024, $26MM in 2025 and $31MMx13. Now, that would be a helleva bargain. Ownership needs to instruct management to sign both Vlad and Bo, and authorise contracts of at least $500MM for 15 years and $250 for 10 years respectively.
I fully agree that if such does not occur, you might as well give the team back to the Belgium brewery.