Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is standing by comments he made regarding his performance after signing a 14-year, $500 million contract last year. In an interview with Spanish-language reporter Veronica Batista, Guerrero said he was being paid for what he had done in the past, not what he would do in the future.

"The money they gave me wasn't for what I'm going to do. It was for what I already did," Guerrero told Batista. "They didn't pay me because I'm going to hit 40 [home runs] every year. They paid me for what I already accomplished."

After the Blue Jays were eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday, Guerrero stood by his remarks. "No, I don't regret myself. I'm not lying with what I say," he said through an interpreter. "What I said is the way I feel."

Guerrero is having one of his worst seasons, hitting .263 with nine home runs and 56 RBIs in 142 games. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the comments had "unfortunate timing" but defended Guerrero's work ethic, saying he would continue working to improve and be the player who helped Toronto reach the World Series last year.