The Toronto Blue Jays have a $500-million PR problem.

And it’s all thanks to Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was recently asked about the expectations that come with his massive contract. His response? The Jays paid him for what he had already done – not what he was going to do.

That’s a brutal message to send to fans after a disappointing season. And Vladdy has taken plenty of criticism for it – deservedly so.

But then he had an opportunity to clean it up. Instead, he struck out again by doubling down.

This was an issue that could have been put to bed quickly. Now, it has become a business problem for the Blue Jays, with potential financial implications beyond the immediate reputational fallout.

There’s a broader lesson here. Players don’t need to become polished corporate spokespeople. But they do need to understand that every microphone comes with consequences and they need the media training and coaching to know what to say, how to say it and when to stop talking.

When a franchise makes a $500-million bet on a player, it isn’t just investing in what he does on the field. It’s investing in the reputation of the organization.Teams spend fortunes developing athletes physically. They should be just as deliberate about preparing them to handle the spotlight that comes with it because what happens behind a microphone can be just as consequential as what happens on the field.