Azulejos and Guerrero Jr. avoid arbitration and reach agreement

FILE – Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates his team’s victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in a game in Toronto on Sept. 14, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File )

TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided salary arbitration and agreed to a $14.5 million contract for next season on Friday.

Toronto had 12 players who could resort to arbitration and Tampa Bay is the only one with a greater number, 14 players.

The only player from that Blue Jays group who did not come to an agreement Friday was shortstop Bo Bichette.

Also accepting one-season deals were Toronto closer Jordan Romano ($4,537,500), catcher Danny Jansen ($3.5 million), right-hander Adam Cimber ($3.15 million), outfielder Daulton Varsho ($3.05 million) , infielder Cavan Biggio (2.8 million), infielder Santiago Espinal (2.1 million), lefty Tim Mayza (2.1 million), righty Trevor Richards (1.5 million), reliever Erik Swanson (1.25 million) and right-hander Trent Thornton (1 million).

Guerrero, second in 2021 AL MVP voting, earned $7.9 million last season.

The two-time All-Star had a .274 batting average, hit 32 home runs, drove in 97 runs and had an .818 OPS in 160 games. He caused an upset by winning a Gold Glove at first base.

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