The Toronto Blue Jays have locked up catcher Alejandro Kirk with a hefty five-year extension worth $58 million, according to FanSided.
Kirk, 26, will now be staying in Toronto through the 2030 season, pushing his free agency back until after he turns 31.
The deal covers his remaining arbitration years and adds four more seasons beyond what the team already controlled. Kirk is set to make $4.6 million for the upcoming 2025 campaign before the new contract kicks in.
Despite a somewhat down 2024 season where he hit .253 with just five homers in 103 games, Kirk’s value goes far beyond his bat.
Behind the plate is where he truly shines. Statcast has consistently ranked him among baseball’s elite defensive catchers over the past three seasons, especially when it comes to pitch-framing – the subtle art of making borderline pitches look like strikes.
For his career, Kirk has been a slightly above-average hitter with a 107 OPS+, which is actually pretty good for a catcher. The Blue Jays originally signed him out of Mexico back in 2016, and he’s developed into one of their core players.
This extension comes at an interesting time for Toronto.
The team has also been trying to work out a long-term deal with star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who could hit free agency after the 2025 season. Earlier this offseason, it seemed like extension talks had fallen apart before Guerrero’s self-imposed deadline.
But there’s been a surprising shift recently. Team president Mark Shapiro, who rarely tips his hand about negotiations, has publicly expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Guerrero. The slugger himself seems open to continuing discussions.
The Blue Jays are facing a make-or-break 2025 season after a disastrous 2024 campaign. They lost 88 games and finished dead last in the AL East – a major disappointment after making the playoffs the previous two years.
If they struggle again, big changes could be coming to both the roster and front office.
