Jays look for Vladdy to remain feared

SAN DIEGO John Schneider has been alongside Vlad Guerrero Jr. long enough to understand and appreciate the expectations that have tailed one of the most talented hitters in the game.

So what does the Toronto Blue Jays manager see for his prized first baseman as the team continues to build its credentials as a serious contender?

“Vladdy getting back to being an absolute threat every time he gets into the box is really going to help us,” Schneider said on Monday during his news conference here at baseball's winter meetings. “We forget he's so good and so young, too.

“Him adjusting to the league was a big part of his year in 2022 and how he's going to do that in 2023 is going to be a big part of who we are as an offence.”

While much of the talk here at baseball's annual convention and swap meet has been the Blue Jays' need to bolster their rotation, the team's front office would like to upgrade the attack, especially given the departure of heart-of-the-order guy Teoscar Hernandez.

It also wouldn't hurt having the Guerrero at-bats universally feared, as they were two seasons ago.

As Schneider pointed out, for mortals the 2022 season was hardly a down one for Guerrero, who earned a Gold Glove for his play at first base, hit .274, drove in 97 runs and belted 32 homers.

But the Jays' offence is never as prolific as it is when Guerrero is firing like he did in 2021, belting 48 homers and emerging as an AL MVP finalist.

“He's driven. He's confident. He's one of the best hitters in the league,” Schneider said. “Vlad to build on what he did and get back to that form, that's a way to replace (the absence of Hernandez's production).”

GM Ross Atkins believes Guerrero is just on a normal career arc for a young, talented player.

“I think what he did (in 2022) was enough,” Atkins said. “If he continues to build upon that — a lot of different players ebb and flow throughout the course of their careers — we feel good where he is in his career and are very glad he's a big part of who we are today.”

At the same time, the GM acknowledged the Jays are in the market to add a productive bat to their batting order.