The biggest topic of this year's Major League Stove League was the massive contract of Juan Soto (26), also a "genius hitter." Soto, who had been in the spotlight as the "biggest FA fish" even before the offseason, was courted by several clubs, including his original team, the New York Yankees, and eventually succeeded in winning the largest contract in North American sports history by signing a 15-year, 765 million-dollar contract with the New York Mets. This is beyond the 10-year, 700 million-dollar record signed by "Superstar" Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of this season.메이저놀이터

Now, Baton is heading for another genius hitter. It is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the "monster" hitter of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Athletic said on Monday (Korea time) that Toronto is discussing an extension contract with Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero Jr. made his major league debut in 2019 at the age of 20, hit .311 with 48 home runs, 111 RBIs and four steals in 161 games in 2021, and although the figures fell with 32 home runs in 2022 and 26 home runs in 2023, he recovered his fame this year by batting .323 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs and two steals in 159 games. Now he is just 25.

"The Athletic" predicted that Guerrero Jr.'s ransom will rise more and more. "Toronto's signing of an extension with Guerrero Jr. will be an important step toward restoring the franchise's credibility. However, Guerrero Jr. price will rise sharply after Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract. Guerrero Jr. is expected to receive nearly $30 million (W43.5 billion) in annual salary in the final year of his salary adjustment, and he will be in the FA market before entering the 27-year-old season.

Of course, Soto-class treatment is practically difficult, but he is qualified to sign a super-large contract. "Soto has a more consistent record as a player with greater talent than Guerrero Jr. However, Guerrero Jr. is also an outstanding offensive player. In 2021, he ranked first in the Major League with an adjusted OPS (OPS+) that was 67 percent higher than the league average, and again this year, he ranked sixth with 66 percent higher than the league average," said "The Athletic."

Attention is also focusing on the scale of the contract if Toronto and Guerrero Jr. immediately agree on an extension contract. "Then, what does Guerrero Jr. want? The 400 million-dollar contract is only half of Soto's. It may sound excessive to fans, but a 500 million-dollar contract to 600 million-dollar contract is realistic," he said.

Robert Murray of "Fanside" also said, "Guerrero Jr. is a player who can sign a contract for about 500 million dollars or more. He is only 25 years old. He has struck out only 96 times in 159 games this year. He also posted a career batting average of .288, an on-base percentage of .363, and a slugging percentage of .500 160 home runs and 507 RBIs during six seasons."

At the end of the 2025 season, Guerrero Jr. will be able to exercise his FA rights. Toronto has no choice but to feel impatient. If Toronto's desperation is added, Guerrero Jr.'s ransom will soar further. It remains to be seen whether Guerrero Jr. can hit more than $500 million in "jackpot" as expected by local media.