Blue Jays could play Guerrero Jr. in different position next season
When Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day rolls around next March, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will likely still be the biggest star in town.
He’ll be the one with the most jersey sales, the loudest standing ovation, and the most recognizable smile when the Blue Days kicks off their new campaign.
But when Blue Jays public address announcer Tim Langton calls out Guerrero in the starting lineup, he could find himself with a change of position, and perhaps a new co-star.
As per New York Post columnist Jon Heyman, Toronto has explored the idea of switching Guerrero back to an old position of his, in order to make room for another star player.
“The Blue Jays are open to moving Vlad Guerrero Jr. from first base to third, which could potentially open up a spot for Pete Alonso,” Heyman wrote in a column published on Tuesday night.
While Heyman’s comments were a one-line thought in a larger piece, it is interesting to see where the Blue Jays might end up playing Guerrero next year.
And it appears the team’s front office is open to the idea of a switch, even if they haven’t commented on the possible reason for the move.
“Love the player,” Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said in a media availability this week, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. “I’m really excited about the year he had, especially the finish to it, the leader that he is and (he) continues to evolve into a better and better one. I’m excited about the potential of him playing some third base and we’ll work through that with him and depending upon our off-season, what that shape ultimately looks like. But I’m just so happy for him he’s in the position he’s in.”
The suggested position isn’t totally unfamiliar to him, having played 12 games at the hot corner this past season.
He’s spent 110 games of his MLB career at third base, while playing 537 at first base, where he won the American League Gold Glove in 2022.
And of course, the addition of a four-time All-Star like Alonso would be a welcomed inclusion to a roster that struggled at the plate much of last season. In six MLB seasons with the New York Mets, Alonso has mashed 226 home runs, which ranks second in the major leagues behind Aaron Judge at 232. But unlike Guerrero, he doesn’t operate with much positional versatility, having only played at first base or designated hitter throughout his career.
In any case, it’ll be interesting to see if there’s any truth to the Alonso-to-Toronto rumour, or if it’s just the latest failed star-player bid for the Blue Jays.
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