Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has apologized for his recent controversial comments regarding his contract.
Ahead of Friday’s series-opening game against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, Guerrero spoke to the media to discuss his regret for saying the 14-year, $500 million contract he signed with the Jays in 2025 was for what he’s already done for the team, not for anything he will do in the future.
“The reason I’m here because I regret my comments the other day … I feel from my heart, my fans, my teammates, they needed an apology from me, and that’s why I’m here for,” Guerrero Jr. said Friday through an interpreter.
The 27-year-old also mentioned he spoke to his father - Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. - who said his comments were a mistake.
“I feel that the comments I made the other day is not what I really wanted to say. Everyone deserves an apology from me,” Guerrero Jr. went on to say.
On Wednesday, Guerrero Jr. caused a firestorm after his comments during a Spanish interview with Veronica Batista of Noticias Telemicro went viral on social media.
“I want people to understand one thing,” Guerrero said in Spanish in the interview. “The money they gave me wasn’t for what I’m going to do. It was for what I already did. They didn’t pay me because I’m going to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already accomplished. People are confused about that, but I think the same way they do. Like, sometimes I even say to myself: Bro, they gave you all that money and you’re out here doing nothing. I try.”
A few hours later after the Blue Jays were officially eliminated from playoff contention from the Baltimore Orioles, Guerrero Jr. doubled down on his comments while speaking to reporters at Camden Yards.
“No, I don’t regret myself. I’m not lying with what I say,” Guerrero said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “I understand some fans, they don’t understand the way and what I was trying to say specifically, but what I said is the way I feel.”
Guerrero Jr. is nearing the end of the worst season of his career after leading the Jays to within one game of World Series title last October thanks to a historic playoff performance.
In 2026, Guerrero Jr. is hitting .263 with nine home runs, including just one at Rogers Centre, alongside 56 RBIs and a .695 OPS.
With Guerrero Jr.’s down year at the forefront, the Blue Jays have struggled all season long and sit last in the American League East with a 77-82 record entering the final three games of the season against the Reds.
