Guerrero Jr. gives honest response about major issue Toronto Blue Jays need to fix
To say that 2025 is a big year for Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. might be the understatement of the decade.
Though he’s been the face of the franchise pretty much since his MLB debut in 2019, the 25-year-old slugger has no certainty about sticking around in Toronto past this season.
Reportedly asking for a contract extension just under US$600 million on a 15-year deal, Guerrero Jr. could leave the Blue Jays this season as a free agent or be dealt midway through the year via a trade.
Though he’s been up and down during his six MLB seasons, Guerrero Jr. at his peak has been one of the best players to ever put on Toronto’s uniform, finishing second in American League MVP voting in 2021 and sixth in 2024.
But the playoff wins have yet to follow, as the team has been swept out of the postseason in all three series that Guerrero Jr. has played in.
He spoke to MLB Network’s Siera Santos and Jake Peavy as part of their 30 Teams in 15 Days feature and offered up some honest answers about what’s prevented Toronto from postseason success during his time with the team.
“We have to get better in the clubhouse,” Guerrero Jr. said. “I can say we’re way different than last year. I can see in spring training, everybody’s together, everybody talks, everybody’s doing [their] work, preparation, every time. To me, the kids [are] better in the clubhouse, and I think we’re better this year than last year.”
“I just say communication. We’re trying to do something [to help the team], or we’re trying to help [our teammates], but we [don’t] talk directly with that [person],” Guerrero Jr. added about what needs to change the most this season.
“We go to the coach, [we should] go directly to [the person], old school. I think right now we’re a unit, and when we’re a unit, we can win some games.”
A native Spanish speaker who often uses an interpreter, Guerrero Jr. gave a rare interview in English, though that trend could become more common this year.
“Now it’s my time to be vocal. I don’t talk too much, but I’m gonna be a little bit vocal this year,” he added.
As for his contract status, Guerrero deferred those questions to his agent, stating, “I’m just here to play baseball and try to help the team to win.”
The Blue Jays home opener is set for March 27 at the Rogers Centre against the Baltimore Orioles, with the first pitch at 3:07 p.m. EDT/12:07 p.m. PDT.
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