Glew: 15 largest contracts signed by MLB players born in Canada

Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto’s 10-year, $225-million contract that he signed with the Cincinnati Reds in April 2012 stood as the richest major league contract ever signed by a player born in Canada for 13 years.

April 7, 2025

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Montreal-born Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to sign a 14-year, $500-million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It’s pending a physical, but once it’s signed, it will be the largest MLB contract ever secured by a player born in Canada.

But before this deal, what were the largest big league contracts ever signed by Canadian-born players?

Here’s a list of the top 15 (Based on total contract value):

  1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.), 14-year, $500-million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, April 2025

  2. Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.), 10-year, $225-million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, April 2012.

  3. Russell Martin (born in East York, Ont., raised in Montreal, Que.), five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, November 2014.

  4. Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.), six-year, $80-million contract with the Minnesota Twins, January 2008.

  5. Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, B.C.), six-year, $75-million contract with the Colorado Rockies, March 1999.

  6. Jason Bay (Trail, B.C.), four-year, $66-million contract with the New York Mets, December 2009.

  7. Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.), four-year, $55-milllion contract with the San Diego Padres, March 2025.

  8. Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, B.C.), four-year, $52-million contract with the Chicago Cubs, November 2008.

  9. Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.), three-year, $49.5 contract with the Baltimore Orioles, December 2024.

  10. Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.), three-year, $39-million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, January 2011.*

  11. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.), one-year, $28.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, January 2025.

  12. Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, B.C.), two-year, $26.5-million contract with the Boston Red Sox, December 2012.

  13. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.), one-year, $19.9-million contraction with the Toronto Blue Jays, January 2024.

  14. Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.), two-year, $19-million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, January 2005.

  15. Jason Bay (Trail, B.C.), four-year, $18.25-million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, November 2005.

*This contract was scrapped and replaced by his more lucrative 10-year deal the following year.

Canadians in MLB, Canadians in the Majors, Major Leagues (MLB)Kevin GlewComment