The Toronto Blue Jays were eliminated from playoff contention after losing one half of a doubleheader on Wednesday. But, it wasn’t the loss to the Baltimore Orioles that is catching most of the attention. Instead, it’s an interview with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. where he drops a controversial take about his $500 million contract.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said, “They didn’t pay me to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already did.”

Not a strong start, given that most fans don’t care about the player you were, but the one you’re going to be over the length of the new deal. Vladdy sounds like a player who has decided the contract was the end goal, and the results aftereward don’t matter.

He added:

“I want people to understand one thing. The money they gave me wasn’t for what I’m going to do. It was for what I already did. They didn’t pay me because I’m going to hit 40 every year. They paid me for what I already accomplished. People are confused about that, but I think the same way they do. Like, sometimes I even say to myself: bro, they gave you all that money and you’re out here doing nothing. I try.”

The fact that he says he’s trying is a positive sign. It means he hasn’t quit. Still, if his mentality is that he did the hard work to get the deal, is he OK doing less work to continue earning what he’s being paid?

He noted, “You know how it is with fans, when you’re good, they’re with you 100%. But when you smell like sh–, like we like to say here, nobody supports you.” Essentially, saying that the Blue Jays fans are fickle might not be the best look. “The ones who support you are the ones who stay with you. Those are my fans. My family.”

The trick here is that Guerrero has to earn his money if he wants any fans to stay with him. They’ll only support his terrible play for so long. He’s one of the main reasons the Blue Jays are no longer a contender. That can only happen so many times before everyone turns.

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