Blue Jays History: Ten Years Ago Today, Toronto Signs Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Through International Free Agency…….
TORONTO – July 5, 2025 – A decade has passed since one of the most pivotal moments in Toronto Blue Jays history: the signing of a 16-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. through international free agency on July 5, 2015. Today, as fans reflect on the journey of a once-promising teenager who became the face of a franchise, the significance of that decision looms larger than ever.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, while his Hall of Fame father Vladimir Guerrero Sr. was playing for the Montreal Expos, Guerrero Jr. was baseball royalty from the beginning. But despite his Canadian birth, it was his Dominican roots that shaped his early playing years. By his mid-teens, Guerrero Jr. was already being touted as one of the top international prospects, known for his powerful bat, advanced hitting approach, and natural feel for the game — traits that clearly echoed his father’s legacy.
On July 5, 2015, the Blue Jays made their move, signing Guerrero Jr. for a reported $3.9 million bonus — a club record at the time for an international prospect. It was a bold investment, one that carried both the weight of expectations and the promise of future superstardom.
Fast forward ten years, and the Blue Jays’ decision has more than paid off.
Guerrero Jr. made his much-anticipated Major League debut on April 26, 2019. Though his early seasons showed flashes of his potential, it was the 2021 season that cemented his status as a bona fide superstar. That year, he finished as runner-up in AL MVP voting, blasting 48 home runs and leading the league in multiple offensive categories. His performance ignited a new era of hope for the franchise, which had been searching for a new cornerstone since the departure of José Bautista and Edwin Encarnación.
Since then, Guerrero Jr. has become a perennial All-Star, a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman, and the heart of Toronto’s lineup. Alongside teammates like Bo Bichette, Alek Manoah, and more recently, Davis Schneider and Orelvis Martinez, Guerrero Jr. has helped build a competitive Blue Jays squad capable of contending year after year.
Off the field, his charisma, leadership, and community involvement have made him a beloved figure across Canada. Whether it’s hosting youth clinics, donating to Dominican and Canadian charities, or simply bringing joy to fans with his ever-present smile, Guerrero Jr. embodies what it means to be a franchise player.
It’s rare in modern baseball for a player’s development to meet — and even exceed — the hype surrounding their signing. But that’s exactly what Guerrero Jr. has done over the past ten years. His evolution from an overweight teenager with a powerful swing into a well-rounded superstar has been a testament to both his work ethic and the Blue Jays’ player development system.
Today, as fans reflect on July 5, 2015, it’s clear that the decision to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will go down as one of the most impactful moments in Blue Jays history. Not only did it bring an elite talent to the roster, but it helped redefine the team’s identity in the post-Bautista era.
With Guerrero Jr. now firmly entrenched as a franchise icon and still only 26 years old, the next chapter of his career — and of Blue Jays baseball — is still being written. But there’s no question that ten years ago today, the future of the Blue Jays changed forever.
And in hindsight, it couldn’t have been a better decision.