Toronto Blue Jays sign new contracts with several players
The Toronto Blue Jays signed new contracts with several players, avoiding taking them to arbitration for their new deals.
With the deadline to file for arbitration set at 1 pm ET today, a few players announced new contracts with the ballclub in order to avoid the tedious process.
Relief pitcher Zach Pop was the first to be announced, coming to a one-year deal at $900,000, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Blue Jays and Zach Pop settle at $900K to avoid arbitration, industry source tells @bnicholsonsmith and me.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) January 9, 2025
Outfielder Daulton Varsho was the next to be announced, as he signed a one-year deal worth $8.2 million, as per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Daulton Varsho and the Blue Jays have settled on a $8.2 million deal for 2025, per source, avoiding arbitration.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 9, 2025
Later in the day, Feinsand confirmed that the Jays had come to a deal with catcher Alejandro Kirk, who signed at $4.6 million.
Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith also broke the news of new reliever Nick Sandlin signing a one-year deal at $1.63 million.
Sandlin was acquired earlier in the offseason as part of a multiplayer trade from the Cleveland Guardians, which also included infielder Andres Gimenez.
The Gate 14 Podcast — run by Johnny Giunta and Avery Chenier — added another report, with infielder Ernie Clement settling on a $1.97 million deal.
Per source the Toronto Blue Jays and Ernie Clement settle at $1.97 million and avoid arbitration
— Gate 14 Podcast (@Gate14Pod) January 9, 2025
Davidi also added that pitcher Alek Manoah landed a deal worth $2.2 million, though the starter is expected to miss the start of the season due to injury.
But perhaps the bigger story is the one Blue Jays star who has yet to sign with the team.
Notably, star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains without a contract.
And according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, a deal isn’t exactly close.
“Guerrero and the Blue Jays are at least $100 million apart, with Guerrero seeking at least $450 million,” Nightengale wrote earlier this week. “If Guerrero doesn’t receive an extension by spring training, he’ll test free agency. If Guerrero doesn’t return to the Blue Jays, he would love to be with the Red Sox, friends say, which may be why the Red Sox are hesitant in their pursuit of [free agent Alex] Bregman.”