How a stronger Vlad Guerrero Jr. could contribute to the Blue Jays’ successful off-season
Was it really only two brief winters ago that Shohei Ohtani and Vlad Guerrero Jr. were discussed in the same context?
At least the two players were on the same ballot for the American League MVP, where the young Blue Jays slugger finished a credible but far behind the Japanese superstar.
Guerrero had a breakthrough year in 2021, with a career-high 48 home run season that cemented his status as one of the game’s superstars, a player just starting out as an MVP contender, and the captain of a young, developing Blue Jays team.
Sadly, Guerrero’s development has not stopped, and the gap between the now-Los Angeles Dodgers star and a still-developing player has grown. Guerrero’s at-bat consistency has been incredibly inconsistent, and he has not even approached that 2021 production.
Let’s fast-forward to the events that followed the bleep Sho, which included the Jays’ dazzling courtship of Ohtani and their ultimately heartbreaking big-money bid failure. Although the majority of attention on what Toronto general manager Ross Atkins needs to do going forward is focused on outside shopping, could we argue that the team’s most important player already plays for the Jays?
The Jays offense could be revived if Guerrero makes a huge comeback. He might not reach that incredible 2021 output, but he should hit much more than the 26 home runs he hit in the previous season, which was his lowest total in a full season.
Guerrero has spent the majority of his off-season at his Florida home, and based on the reports of those who believe that Vlad will return to form, he is having a successful winter. Training camp is only two months away.
At baseball’s Winter Meetings in Nashville last week, Jays manager John Schneider stated, “I think there’s some unfair expectations on him. I’ve said this for a while.” But at this point, I believe he’s more driven and motivated than I’ve ever seen him. He is aware that not all of the heavy lifting needs to be done by him.
“He is concentrated. He most certainly is. Additionally, I believe that he is at a point in his career where he truly wants to contribute—not just offensively, but also kind of as a leader in our clubhouse.
For a player with Guerrero’s skill and potential, focus and physical fitness should be the bare minimum, and Schneider has always been adamantly supporting his rising star. However, it is undoubtedly a good sign if the player himself realizes that now is the right moment to resume his rise to the position of dynamic bat in the Jays lineup.
Schneider reported that he has paid Guerrero “a few visits” at his Florida residence, carrying on a relationship that dates back to when he was the teenager’s minor league manager.
Similar to Schneider’s assessment of Guerrero’s off-season, Akins has also maintained communication with the 24-year-old.
“He’s in excellent health. “His off-season is off to a great start,” Atkins remarked in Nashville. When I spoke with him last week, he was incredibly excited. He is in a great mood. He always has a great appearance.
“Dude, he’s just so amazing.” We’re really lucky to have him here since he’s just an extremely driven and focused person.
Atkins is now forced to settle for less desirable options on the trade and free-agent markets after missing out on Ohtani and the ensuing emotional roller coaster it must have put his front office through. The season has become much more difficult for the Jays front office with multiple roster spots to fill as a result of their unsuccessful and drawn-out pursuit of Ohtani, who undoubtedly took advantage of Toronto’s
However, Atkins has always stated that some of the team’s progress will need to come from within, which is where players like Guerrero at first base and Kirk at catcher can step back into a more productive role.
Don Mattingly will move up from bench coach to what the team is calling an offensive coordinator as part of a reorganized coaching staff, which will contribute to the drive for an offensive boost from within. Schneider gave an overview of the team’s revised strategy, speaking more generally than directly to Guerrero’s circumstances.
“I believe that our hitters can perform best if we match their strengths with what the opposition’s pitchers will throw,” Schneider stated. Situations will determine what needs to be changed at-bat by at-bat. Thus, I believe it will be really important to have someone with Donnie’s voice kind of leading the charge this year.
“Just attempting to develop nine distinct strategies into a comprehensive plan to defeat that pitcher that evening.” Everyone seems to be moving in the same general direction while still utilizing their unique skill set.
While reviving their offensive assault is undoubtedly the Jays’ top priority this off-season, their own big bat may hold the key to the answer if they search long enough.
Postmedia welcomes comments from all readers on our articles and is dedicated to preserving a vibrant, yet polite, discussion forum. Before being posted on the website, comments may need to be moderated for up to an hour. Please be considerate and relevant in your remarks. We’ve activated email notifications, so you’ll now get an email whenever someone replies to a comment you left, updates a comment thread you follow, or leaves a comment. Check out our Community Guidelines for additional details
