Guerrero, Blue Jays reach $14.5M deal to avoid arbitration

By The Associated Press

FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates after the team's win over the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game Sept. 14, 2022, in Toronto. Guerrero and the Blue Jays avoided salary arbitration Friday night, Jan. 13, by agreeing to a $14.5 million contract for next season. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Frank Gunn]

TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays have avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $14.5 million contract for next season. Toronto had 12 players eligible for arbitration — only Tampa Bay with 14 had more. The lone member of that Blue Jays group who did not settle Friday was shortstop Bo Bichette. Guerrero, runner-up in 2021 AL MVP voting, earned $7.9 million last season. The two-time All-Star batted .274 with 32 homers, 97 RBIs and an .818 OPS in 160 games. He also was a surprise Gold Glove winner at first base. If the Blue Jays and Bichette don’t strike a deal, they would go to an arbitration hearing sometime between Jan. 30 and Feb. 17.