One year after earning a record salary through arbitration, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided another boardroom faceoff by agreeing to a one-year, $28.5 million deal on Thursday.

The Toronto Blue Jays could potentially lose Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in free agency next offseason if they cannot reach an extension agreement. However, they could trade him if they know an extension is not in the cards.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays avoided salary arbitration with a $28.5 million, one-year deal, while Framber Valdez and the Astros reached an $18 million deal.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided a salary arbitration hearing when the first baseman agreed to a $28.5 million, one-year contract on the day players and teams exchanged proposed figures.

The Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have agreed to a $28.5MM salary to avoid an arbitration hearing, reports Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. This does not prevent the sides from discussing a long-term deal in advance of Guerrero’s final year of club control.

Last winter, Guerrero and the Blue Jays were unable to settle on terms, forcing the two sides to an arbitration hearing in February. The four-time All-Star ended up winning the case for a $19.9 million salary for 2023, beating Toronto, who had filed at $18.05 million.