Toronto Blue Jays legend weighs in on Vladdy's viral quote

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s recent comments didn't sit well with a large number of Toronto Blue Jays fans. 

And some former players have weighed in, too. 

This week, a clip was shared on social media of Guerrero Jr. opening up to Dominican reporter Veronica Batista about some of the pressure he's felt since signing a 14-year, $500 million contract extension with Toronto.

The Blue Jays slugger said he was given the massive contract for what he's already done for the franchise, rather than what he's going to do in the future.

"I can't believe he actually said this s***," one fan reacted on X.

"I just have to assume the translation is off; otherwise, this is the worst quote I've ever seen from a big-name athlete," said another.

27 years old btw

I just have to assume the translation is off otherwise some of the worst quotes I’ve ever seen from a big name athlete https://t.co/ETbeQRxqRs

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) September 23, 2026

With just nine dingers this season, Guerrero is poised to post the lowest home-run numbers of his eight-year MLB career, outside of the shortened 2020 pandemic season.

The clip went viral. It even caught the attention of former Blue Jays star Vernon Wells, who was also underperforming after signing what was a massive seven-year, $126 million deal 17 years ago.

"I heard Vlad Jr comments. You do get paid for what you have done up to that point, BUT with the exception that that will continue with some natural ups and downs," Wells said on social media.

"I didn't take his comments to mean he doesn't care and doesn't want to be better than he was this year — I just don't think he articulated it very well."

Wells concluded by saying there's always pressure to live up to a big contract, and that it's impossible to evaluate a deal based on its first year. The 47-year-old, three-time All-Star also said he believes Guerrero will learn from the experience and be better because of it.

I heard Vlad Jr comments. You do get paid for what you have done up to that point BUT with the exception that that will continue with some natural ups and downs. I didn’t take his comments to mean he doesn’t care and doesn’t want to be better than he was this year. I just don’t…

— Vernon Wells (@VernonWells10) September 23, 2026

Following Wednesday's doubleheader loss to the Orioles, Guerrero was asked by Blue Jays reporters about his comments, and he doubled down.

"Obviously, I feel really bad about the year that I had. I couldn't help get my team to the postseason, and I said that I felt, in my personal opinion, that every player gets paid for what they've done," Guerrero said.

The 27-year-old then appeared to take to his Instagram page to address it by posting two cryptic messages in Spanish. The first translates to "He who knows, knows," while the second was a photo of a tattoo that reads, "No one sees your struggle or your pain, but everyone sees your mistakes."

Wells wasn't the only former MLB star to weigh in on Guerrero's comments.

Joey Votto agreed with what Guerrero had to say, but suggested the timing and wording could have been better.

"Vladdy did earn his contract. He's a young superstar who's going to have a fantastic career and retire as a Blue Jay and HOF player like his dad. That said, as someone who has said silly things in the past, this is not him at his best," Votto said.

Guerrero has played eight seasons with Toronto since being called up as a 20-year-old just a few weeks into the 2019 season.

The Blue Jays have him under contract for the next 13 seasons, through 2039, when the Dominican star will turn 40.