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After the Toronto Blue Jays and slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. failed to agree to contract terms before his self-imposed deadline back in February, the belief was that the four-time All-Star would hit the open market as a free agent this winter. Ensuing reports, which indicated just how far apart the two sides were in their negotiations, only served to strengthen that notion.

But everything changed in the early morning hours Monday, as the Blue Jays and Guerrero agreed to terms on a 14-year, $500 million contract extension, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of .

The massive deal begs several questions.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Contract Details

Are there any deferrals in Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Contract?

No. Guerrero's contract includes no deferred compensation, according to Spotrac. This was a sticking point in negotiations between the 2023 Home Run Derby champion and the Blue Jays. Guerrero and his agents Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro made it clear that the deal should include no deferrals, which would have significantly lowered its present day value.

Does Guerrero's contract have a no-trade clause?

Yes. Guerrero's deal includes a full no-trade clause, according to Spotrac. Per MLB rules, this means that Guerrero can block a trade to any of the other 29 teams. A full no-trade clause gives much more power to the player than a partial one, which allows a player to block trades only to a specified list of teams.

How long will Guerrero be under contract with the Blue Jays?

For 14 seasons, beginning in the '26 campaign and running through the '39 season.

Where does Guerrero's contract rank among the biggest in MLB history?

It is the third-largest contract in MLB history, but the second-largest in terms of present day value. It is also the largest contract in Blue Jays history. Here's a closer look.

Below are the biggest contracts in MLB history in terms of total value.

Now, here are the biggest contracts in terms of present day value.

In the case of Ohtani and Betts, significant contract deferrals, which have become a part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' team-building philosophy, drag down the present day value of the respective deals.

In terms of average annual value, Guerrero's contract, which will pay him $35.7 million per year, checks in as the ninth-largest in MLB history, just behind New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and Trout. In terms of the biggest contracts among active players at the time of this story's publishing, Guerrero's deal ranks seventh in MLB in AAV. Note that these AAV figures are all in terms of present day value and don't include deferrals.

In a fun twist, Guerrero Jr. will earn $142.8 million through the first four seasons of his deal, which eclipses the entire career earnings of his father and Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

In seven seasons, Guerrero has posted a .287/.362/.498 slash line with 160 home runs, 511 RBI and 478 runs scored. In addition to making four All-Star teams and winning the '23 Home Run Derby, he is a two-time Silver Slugger, has a Gold Glove to his name and in '21 was the youngest player, at 22 years old, in MLB history to be named All-Star Game MVP.

Tottenham Hotspur have identified an alternative attacking signing to Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers after missing out on the England international, according to a new report.

Rogers was reliably reported to be an ambitious target for Spurs last summer following his imperious 2024/2025 season — which saw the forward bag 14 goals and 16 assists in 54 total appearances.

Fabrizio Romano even stated that Thomas Frank’s side, along with Chelsea, were prepared to pay “crazy money” for Rogers.

Following on from that statement, Villa have since confirmed Rogers has signed a new contract until 2031 — gifting Unai Emery a massive boost while dampening all hope of Spurs securing any deal for the foreseeable future.

Tottenham are still reportedly in the market for a new winger and could sign one as early as January, with Frank dealt multiple injury blows since taking over from Ange Postecoglou in the summer.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus are all on the treatment table right now. Only the latter appears fairly likely to feature against Arsenal in the North London derby on November 23, considering he was ‘touch and go’ to face Man United, but Kudus interestingly hasn’t been selected for Ghana’s upcoming friendlies against Japan and South Korea.

Tottenham make approach to sign Everton star Iliman Ndiaye

With Rogers off the table as an attacking target, it is believed that Everton’s in-form star Iliman Ndiaye is now attracting their attention instead.

According to reports from Spain, Spurs view the Toffees sensation as an ideal alternative to Rogers, but they could have to fork out close to £70 million for his signature.

The Senegalese has been one of Everton’s players of the season and worth every penny of the £15 million used to bring him in from Marseille in 2024, bagging 15 goals in 50 appearances since joining the club and consistently standing out as a top performer.

Ndiaye has started all 11 of Everton’s league games so far and is one of the undroppables on David Moyes’ team sheet week in, week out.

However, while it may be difficult to convince the Merseysiders to sell, this hasn’t stopped Tottenham making an initial approach for Ndiaye ahead of 2026, according to one Spanish media source.

It is also believed that Spurs are “determined to move quickly” for the versatile 25-year-old who can play out wide, through the middle and even as a striker when required — potentially suggesting that an audacious January move could be on the cards.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has weighed into the Jude Bellingham debate and urged the Real Madrid and England superstar to focus on his job and not be distracted by his critics. Tension has developed between the midfielder and Thomas Tuchel, which has primarily focused on player behaviour and squad integration. The situation began in the summer when Tuchel referred to Bellingham's on-field demeanour as "repulsive."

• Broken relationship between superstar attacker and boss

  Tuchel later apologised for the comments he made, but also stressed the need for Bellingham to "channel" his competitive "fire" towards opponents, not officials or team-mates. This was followed by the high-profile omission of Real Madrid attacker from the October England squad, with Tuchel emphasising "team cohesion" over individual talent, stating "teams win trophies", and this was also set against the backdrop of the him recovering from a shoulder injury. 

  The latest incident occurred during the recent World Cup qualifier against Albania where Bellingham, who was voted Player of the Match, was visibly frustrated at being substituted in the 84th minute, shortly after Harry Kane's goal. Tuchel addressed the reaction, reiterating that "behaviour is key" and players must "accept" his decisions for the good of the team, especially given Bellingham was on a yellow card and risked a suspension for a future game. 

  And now, speaking at the press conference to formally announce Joshua’s fight with YouTuber Jake Paul, the two-time unified heavyweight champion has urged the former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund star to focus on his football.

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  Bellingham falls foul of Tuchel's strict regime 

  Joshua said: "Talk to me… What's happened with Jude? Why (Shouldn't he be included in England squad)? "But why? I'm not exactly sure what's going on with the situation but everyone has their own personality. If he doesn't want to talk then that's up to it, if he wants to talk, if he doesn't, I don't understand exactly what's going on, I don't follow soccer, I follow the fight game. What like? Negative? The main thing for him to focus on is getting on that pitch and representing his country and doing a good job. It doesn't matter what you say, that's what we've got to focus on, he's probably just tunnel vision which most people don't understand what it takes to be in Jude Bellingham's position."

  Joshua added: "Jude Bellingham is under immense pressure every day of his life, it might just be one of those days, one of those years but let him do what he does on the pitch, that's what we need to focus on."

• Wright's forthright views on Bellingham saga

  Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright has also had his say on Bellingham's critics, claiming some aren't "ready for a black superstar" because his confident energy challenges their expectations. Wright has argued that the media "hate that they can't get to him" or control his narrative because he plays abroad. Wright expressed his view with several key quotes. 

  Wright said on the Rest is Football podcast: "I don't think they're ready for a black superstar who can move like Jude is moving. They can't touch him." He also commented that Bellingham's demeanour is "too uppity for these people", contrasting it with players like N'Golo Kante, who he described as a "humble black man". 

  Wright suggested that the confidence shown by players like Bellingham or Paul Pogba "does not sit well with people". He believes someone like Bellingham "frightens these people because of his capability and the inspiration he can give", particularly because being "outspoken, black, and playing to that level and not caring, that frightens certain people."

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  World Cup looming large

  The ongoing dynamic between Bellingham and Tuchel has become a major talking point ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with many analysts suggesting how the German boss manages his relationship with the Real Madrid star could define his managerial reign. The core issue revolves around integrating a global superstar's individual brilliance and passionate personality within Tuchel's strict team-first philosophy. 

  The draw for the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico is in December and Tuchel will announce his final squad some time in May next year.

The New York Mets completed their sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday with a win in extra innings.

Key to the Mets’ effort was closer Edwin Diaz, who pitched a perfect ninth inning but was unable to finish the game. After stepping off of the mound in discomfort several times, Diaz was pulled in the 10th inning. Manager Carlos Mendoza chalked it up to cramping in Diaz’s hip, and Diaz said after the game that he did not see it being a big issue moving forward.

But beyond the cramping, Diaz also revealed a, shall we say, puzzling medical update.

“Yesterday, my legs—one was longer than the other one,” Diaz said. “We worked on that yesterday. I don’t know if that was a problem. [It was the] first time that had happened to me. We fixed it yesterday.”

Diaz explained that he and the trainer realized that one leg was reaching out a bit longer than the other, and the trainer worked on his hips to get things where they needed to be. Asked if he figured out what had caused the leg lengthening, Diaz was casual to a point of inspiring awe.

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask. He just did it, and I was feeling better after.”

Understandably, fans were a bit confounded with the injury update.

Given Diaz doesn’t seem too worried about the issue, maybe the confusing update is just the result of a game of telephone getting a bit out of hand somewhere along the line.

And if you need one leg shortened on short notice for any reason moving forward, apparently, the Mets have a guy for that.

Chelsea are now ready to trigger the £44m release clause to sign an “unstoppable” striker, who has been in fantastic form so far this season.

Blues stepping up striker pursuit despite Delap scoring first goal

The Blues upgraded their forward line considerably during the summer, bringing in Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, and the latter is now finally off the mark in front of goal, having scored the third in the comprehensive 3-0 victory against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Pedro has been more prolific, chipping in with four goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, and the Brazilian has also displayed his versatility by featuring at both centre-forward and in attacking midfield.

With the former Brighton man able to play in a slightly deeper role, there may be room in the squad to bring in another, more natural centre-forward in the January transfer window, and the Blues are now stepping up their pursuit of a Bundesliga star.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Chelsea are now ready to trigger the €50m (£44m) release clause in Serhou Guirassy’s Borussia Dortmund contract, having identified the striker as a priority target.

Manchester United are also in the race for Guirassy, who is open to a move to the Premier League, with Dortmund powerless to prevent a departure if one of the interested English clubs stumps up the requisite £44m.

The Guinean forward is enticed by the projects on offer at both Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, and his performances so far this season suggest he would be able to hit the ground running in the Premier League.

"Unstoppable" Guirassy tearing it up in the Bundesliga

Lauded as “unstoppable” by scout Antonio Mango, the 29-year-old has already amassed 13 goal contributions across all competitions this season, particularly catching the eye for Dortmund in the Champions League.

The France-born striker has averaged 0.61 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 86th percentile compared to other forwards, while he is also impressive in the air, placing in the 82nd percentile for aerials won, having averaged 3.48 per 90.

As such, the Dortmund star clearly has the talent to succeed in the Premier League, but there may be some concerns about his age, given that BlueCo are known for wanting to sign younger players, and he is set to turn 30 in March.

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That said, with a potential title race on the cards, Guirassy could be a real difference-maker, and £44m would be a reasonable fee, given the level of his performances so far this season.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has backed Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha to win the Ballon d'Or, while praising his side's display in a 5-3 Champions League defeat to the French giants. Spurs twice led the defending champions in Paris but Luis Enrique's team stormed back with a stunning second-half display. The Danish manager tipped his hat to the north London team and also the world-class Portuguese.

• Tottenham respond after Arsenal drubbing

  The anti-Frank rhetoric from some Tottenham fans reached fever point on Sunday as they were thrashed 4-1 by bitter rivals Arsenal in the Premier League. The drubbing was, naturally, difficult to take but the manner of the defeat was particularly galling for some supporters, who were frustrated with Frank's defensive tactics and lack of intent. But they looked like their old selves in the French capital with a performance of grit and character. Ultimately, they shipped five goals and came away with nothing on Wednesday night but Frank saw plenty of positives from the win. He also thinks Vitinha, who scored a hat-trick and came third in this year's Ballon d'Or, is the best midfielder in the world.

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  'They have one Ballon d'or winner'

  He told reporters, via Football London: "I'm pleased with the performance. It was the reaction I wanted from the players, from the team. We've been working very hard on that, the players, the staff, me, to make sure that we responded well and bounced back because that's crucial after a bad performance. Today I saw more identity of the team I want to create, we want to create. Much more character, personality, aggressiveness. Three words you need to have in any team no matter how you want to do, how you want to play, whatever formation, whatever. Today we saw it, that I'm pleased with. 

  "Of course, I think it was performance that was up there where we could get something out of the game, a draw or a win. So that's a little frustrating thing that we conceded some goals. Of course, one with a little bit of margin from Vitinha, not top corner but top, top corner. And then, of course, goal three and four. Those are the ones we definitely need to avoid if we want to get something out of here, but something to build on. Strikers scoring two goals. The whole team, I think, all performed well. Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, positive. When we played against a decent team where they have one Ballon d'Or winner and I think the next one is playing in midfield. Vitinha. Wow, what a player."

  Frank added to TNT Sports: "Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d'Or winner."

• Tottenham staying positive

  With this defeat, Tottenham have now conceded four or more goals in back-to-back games in all competitions for the first time since May 2003 under Glenn Hoddle. Moreover, Spurs let in five goals away from home in a major European competition for the very first time. Despite that, midfielder Archie Gray had a glass-half-full attitude.

  He told TNT Sports: "We played against a top opponent tonight, they are probably the best team in Europe at the moment. There were some good moments we can take into Fulham. We scored some goals, there are things we can work on, but they are a top, top team, and there are moments you will suffer against them. They are the best team in Europe, and they are relentless in every aspect of their game, and they have that individual class. They are a top team, and there are things we can learn from."

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  What comes next for Tottenham?

  While Tottenham can take some positives out of this match, that belief and optimism will evaporate if they are unable to beat lowly Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday night. Spurs have slipped to ninth in the table but if results go their way, they could climb as high as fourth. On the flip side, if they don't win, they could drop into the bottom half of the table.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' offense has struggled of late, but it's hard to put much of that blame on Oneil Cruz. After hitting two home runs in Saturday's win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Cruz added another to his tally early on Sunday.

This home run from Cruz was his 11th of the year, and it was a historic one.

In the third inning, Cruz took a pitch from Logan Henderson and deposited it into the Allegheny River. The ball left the bat at an absurd speed of 122.9 mph, which makes it the single hardest hit ball, and home run, in the Statcast era.

Have a look at just how quickly this ball leaves PNC Park.

Previously, the hardest hit home run in the Statcast era was a 2018 bomb by Giancarlo Stanton that was registered at 121.7 mph. Cruz bested that with his solo shot in the third inning, by over a full mile per hour.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that an injured Spurs star won’t be back in action for a ‘long time’, with the Dane currently minus a few key first-team players.

Tottenham battle Slavia Prague in the Champions League

Spurs welcome Slavia Prague to North London tonight seeking to reignite their automatic Champions League knockout round hopes with a victory that would edge them closer to securing a coveted top-eight finish.

Frank’s side need all three points against the struggling Czech outfit to maintain momentum after Saturday’s morale-boosting 2-0 win over Brentford ended their miserable six-match winless streak.

The Lilywhites currently sit 16th in the Champions League standings with eight points from five matches, sitting just two points behind the automatic qualification places.

Saturday’s Premier League victory will give Spurs more confidence following the chaotic 5-3 defeat to PSG in their previous European outing, with Richarlison and Xavi Simons securing all three points against Frank’s former employers last weekend.

Despite their lacklustre home form overall this year, the hosts actually boast a formidable home record in European competition, remaining unbeaten in 22 consecutive European games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Spurs have won both their Champions League home matches this campaign without conceding, defeating Villarreal and FC Copenhagen.

History also favours Frank’s side, having never lost to Slavia Prague in four previous European meetings, recording three victories and one draw.

Slavia arrive in desperate circumstances, languishing in 31st with just three points from five matches and facing the genuine prospect of early elimination.

The Czech champions have endured a torrid European campaign, failing to register a single victory while remarkably going four consecutive Champions League fixtures without scoring.

Their attacking struggles represent their most significant weakness, with just two goals across the entire league phase.

Despite domestic dominance — sitting five points clear atop the Czech First League following Friday’s 2-1 victory over Teplice — Jindrich Trpisovsky’s side have repeatedly failed to translate that form onto the continental stage.

Their 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal highlighted the gulf in quality when facing elite opposition, while goalless draws against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao demonstrated defensive resilience without much threat going forward.

Frank faces several selection concerns heading into the clash, though.

Destiny Udogie is sidelined with a hamstring injury which will keep him out until January, while Randal Kolo Muani is doubtful after limping through Saturday’s victory.

Brennan Johnson is also ‘touch and go’ for the encounter, according to Frank, but one significant positive looked to have emerged from Monday’s training session.

James Maddison was spotted working on the grass for the first time since rupturing his ACL during August’s pre-season friendly against Newcastle, with Frank providing an update on the Englishman.

Thomas Frank shares James Maddison update out of Tottenham

Regrettably, while the £170,000-per-week playmaker sparked excitement when he was clocked in training, Frank has confirmed in quotes relayed by The Press Association, that Maddison still won’t be back for a ‘long time’.

The 29-year-old, who bagged 22 goals contributions in all competitions last term (12 goals, 11 assists), has been a sore miss for Spurs as they heavily rely on the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Simons for their creativity.

Simons’ phenomenal solo run and goal against Brentford will have done the Dutchman a world of good for his confidence following real criticism since his marquee move from Leipzig in the summer.

The pressure is on him to deliver in the ongoing absence of both Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, with Frank also remaining vague about the latter’s recovery timeline.

After Slavia, Tottenham travel to struggling Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and only a win will do there too.

Julian Alvarez has addressed the growing speculation linking him with a shock move to Barcelona. The Atletico Madrid forward, currently midway through his second season at the Metropolitano, insisted he remains "very calm" about his future and focused on winning titles under Diego Simeone, despite reports suggesting the Catalan giants are monitoring his situation.

• Alvarez shuts down the noise

  Since swapping Manchester City for Madrid in the summer of 2024, Alvarez has established himself as the focal point of Simeone's attack. However, his status as one of La Liga's premier forwards has inevitably drawn attention, with recent reports from Spain suggesting that Barcelona view the Argentine World Cup winner as a potential long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.

  In an interview with , the 25-year-old was asked directly about the rumours linking him with a switch to Atletico's domestic rivals. Far from fuelling the fire, the forward was quick to play down the speculation, emphasising that such noise is merely part of the territory when playing at the elite level. He insisted that his happiness in the Spanish capital has not wavered, despite the constant churn of the rumour mill.

  "I am very calm," Alvarez explained when asked if the links to Barcelona bothered him. "I always say that one has to be calm and do things well on the pitch. But it doesn't bother me, things are always said, there are always rumours. I try to stay focused on what I have to do, which is to play and help the team."

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  Alvarez sees 'room to improve' at Atletico

  The striker's commitment to the Atletico project appears steadfast, particularly given the heavy investment the club has made to build a team around him. The Colchoneros spent a reported £81 million to bring him to Spain, and Alvarez believes that the squad is still finding its highest gear. Reflecting on the influx of talent in the most recent transfer window, he suggested that the team's best football is still ahead of them.

  "I think that nowadays we're in a position to compete with anyone, and as I was saying before, the club has been growing a lot," he said. "In this last transfer window, we've brought in many high-caliber, high-quality players, and I think that, looking ahead, the club still has room for improvement."

  The Argentine is certainly delivering on his end of the bargain as the team strives for that improvement. The 25-year-old has already netted 11 goals across La Liga and the Champions League this season, spearheading the attack for Simeone's side. His contributions have kept Atletico firmly in the hunt for silverware, with the club currently sitting fourth in the domestic table – though they are nine points behind leaders Barcelona – and occupying an automatic qualification spot (8th) in the Champions League league phase.

• Enjoying Simeone's intensity

  His adaptation to Simeone's system has been the driving force behind this form. While his debut season was a period of adjustment to the rigours of Spanish football, his second campaign has seen him take on a more pronounced leadership role. Operating centrally or drifting wide when required, his work rate and pressing ability have made him indispensable to the "Cholo" style of play.

  The demands of playing for Simeone are unique, often requiring forwards to sacrifice personal glory for defensive solidity. The Argentine, who developed under Marcelo Gallardo at River Plate and Pep Guardiola at City, has proven uniquely suited to this hybrid role. His ability to lead the press from the front has allowed Atletico to maintain their defensive identity while adding a lethal cutting edge that had perhaps been missing in previous campaigns.

  "He's just as you see him, very, very passionate, very focused on work, on effort, on the mentality that if you work hard, sooner or later the results will come," Alvarez said of his coach. "So, we all trust the team. The truth is, that's it, the way he lives and breathes football makes it resonate with all the players."

  Asked about the similarities between Simeone and Guardiola, he added: "There are similarities. Obviously, the way they compete, the winning mentality. Then, what we all see are the differences in the ideas each one has when it comes to approaching matches and seeing football. I don't know if it's because of their experience or what they feel, not because of what they know, but each one has their own style."

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  What next?

  With Barcelona currently setting the pace at the top of La Liga, the rumours of their interest in Alvarez could have been a destabilising distraction for Atletico. 

  The Rojiblancos remain the only club in the last decade to have broken the Real Madrid-Barcelona duopoly, and the forward was signed specifically to help them do it again. His dismissal of the exit talks suggests he still believes that ambition is achievable at the Metropolitano, rather than needing to jump ship to Camp Nou to secure more silverware.

  For now, all talk of transfers has been firmly put to one side. Alvarez and Atletico return to La Liga action this weekend, looking to keep pace in the title race. The striker will be hoping to let his football do the talking, ensuring his focus remains strictly on securing the points needed to climb further up the table.

Jac Caglianone hit his fourth career home run on Wednesday night as the Kansas City Royals took on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Kauffman Stadium. It was the second straight game that Caglianone homered after going 16 games without a home run.

There was no doubt about this one, as Caglianone absolutely crushed a pitch from Pittsburgh's Bailey Falter that traveled far enough for the announcers to marvel at the tape measure shot multiple times before it finally landed behind three fences in center.

"Oh!" "My goodness!" "Way outta here!" "Wow!"

You know a guy caught it when the announcers can't do a home run call so much as just make loud noises towards the microphone.

Royals fans must be thrilled. Caglianone hadn't homered at Kauffman Stadium until Tuesday. Now he's done it in two straight games, and in increasingly impressive fashion. This one will be tough to top..