The Toronto Blue Jays didn’t just sign a player when they handed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a 14-year, $500 million contract—they made a declaration. They’re building around a generational talent, and they’re doing it for the long haul. The deal sent shockwaves around baseball, but inside the Blue Jays clubhouse, it did something more personal. It sparked reflection, conversation—and for some, aspiration. One of those players?

José Berríos. The right-handed pitcher with a reputation for being a leader and reliable force on the field didn’t just acknowledge it. He observed closely and reflected on its implications for the team’s future and his role within it. Because when an organization makes that kind of financial and emotional investment, it’s no longer about short-term windows. It’s about legacy. And Berríos, who’s already signed through 2028, wants to extend his.

“I know that I have this year and three more, I think,” Berríos told reporters with a smile, “so hopefully, I can extend my career here to keep playing beside him and try to bring a trophy to Toronto.”

That’s not just a soundbite—it’s a pulse check on where this team is headed. Vladimir Guerrero isn’t just the cornerstone of the Jays’ offense, he’s a magnet. His presence draws belief, drives ambition, and raises the stakes. When your franchise commits half a billion dollars to one player, it signals to everyone else that mediocrity is no longer tolerated. That gets people thinking.

And Berríos is thinking legacy! He’s not chasing headlines or playing for his next big payday—he’s already got stability. What he wants now is significance. A ring. And the ripple effect of Guerrero’s contract seems just beginning. It’s inspiring clubhouse veterans to recommit, reimagine, and, in Berríos’s case, speak up. And that matters. Because if Toronto’s front office is truly all-in on building a core that can win—not just once, but for years to come—then listening to voices like Berríos’ might be their next smartest move.

After all, dynasties aren’t built on one superstar. They’re built on players who look at moments like this and say, ‘I want in and want to stay.’

Toronto’s core is taking shape—who’s next after Vladimir Guerrero?

By locking up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the next 14 years, the Blue Jays didn’t just commit to a player—they committed to a vision. They put their flag in the ground and said, This is who we’re building around. But championship teams aren’t built on one superstar. They’re built on cohesion, chemistry, and continuity. So naturally, the next question in that clubhouse—and across the league—is: Who’s next in line to become part of Toronto’s long-term core?

José Berríos has already made his intentions clear, but he’s not the only one quietly circling this moment. Bo Bichette, for instance, has been a steady offensive force and the emotional engine of this team for years. If Guerrero is the thunder, Bichette is the pulse. Then there’s Alejandro Kirk—young, controlled, and quietly one of the most valuable catchers in baseball. Even veterans like Kevin Gausman, who bring elite consistency, have a case to stay for the long run. What this Vladimir Guerrero deal did was flip the switch—it moved Toronto from a team searching for its identity to one ready to define it.

Now it’s on the front office to decide: Who are the pillars, and who are the placeholders? Let us know your thoughts below!