The Toronto Blue Jays added plenty of new talent this offseason, but the identity of the franchise remains unchanged.
Everything still revolves around Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Fresh off signing a massive $500 million contract and approaching his 27th birthday, Guerrero continues to prove why he’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball. And if recent performances are any indication, the Blue Jays superstar may still be climbing toward an even higher level.
A Hot Streak That Refuses to End
Guerrero’s dominant stretch didn’t begin this spring.
It started last October.
During the Blue Jays’ postseason run, Guerrero delivered one of the most explosive playoff performances in franchise history. He set the team’s all-time playoff home run record and emerged as the most impactful hitter on the American League side of the bracket.
Now that momentum appears to be carrying into the new year.
Before leaving for the World Baseball Classic, Guerrero was hitting .333/.500/.444 during spring training. Once the tournament began, he picked up right where he left off.
Through the Dominican Republic’s early games, Guerrero has produced a staggering .500 batting average along with a 1.600 OPS, continuing a run of dominance that stretches across two different competitions.
For a player already established as one of baseball’s biggest stars, the sustained surge has been remarkable.
A Superstar Who May Still Be Improving
It may sound surprising to suggest that Guerrero is still ascending.
After all, the first baseman already owns five All-Star selections and an American League Championship Series MVP award. His resume already places him among the sport’s elite hitters.
Yet his 2025 regular season left room for growth.
Guerrero still posted excellent numbers, hitting .292/.381/.467 while producing 3.9 fWAR. However, he finished with 23 home runs — a noticeable drop from the power production he displayed in previous seasons.
His wRC+ also dipped compared to 2024, falling nearly 20 percent year over year.
For most players, those numbers would still represent a standout season. But for Guerrero, they hint that another gear could still exist.
October Showed What That Gear Looks Like
The postseason offered a glimpse of what Guerrero looks like when everything clicks.
In October, he displayed remarkable plate discipline while delivering elite power. He walked twice as often as he struck out and produced a jaw-dropping 241 wRC+ during the playoff run.
While the Blue Jays’ success involved contributions from the entire roster, Guerrero was unquestionably the centerpiece of the offense.
That version of Guerrero is the one Toronto hopes to see throughout the 2026 season.
A New Challenge Without Bichette
One potential obstacle lies in a significant lineup change.
For years, Guerrero and Bo Bichette formed one of baseball’s most recognizable offensive duos. Since debuting together in 2019, the two stars pushed each other to continually improve.
Now Guerrero may be entering a season without that familiar presence hitting near him in the lineup.
The loss of that protection could force pitchers to approach Guerrero more cautiously, potentially leading to fewer pitches to hit.
Momentum Could Carry the Blue Jays
Even with those challenges, Guerrero’s current form suggests something special may be brewing.
He has already proven that he can deliver MVP-caliber seasons, posting a wRC+ above 160 twice during his career. If he reaches that level again — or even surpasses it — he would immediately re-enter the conversation alongside players like Aaron Judge for the American League’s top individual honor.
More importantly for Toronto, a locked-in Guerrero changes the ceiling of the entire team.
If his postseason momentum truly carries into the regular season, the Blue Jays won’t just be contenders in the American League East.
They could become the team everyone else is chasing.
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