Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will not be benched by Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, despite his struggles at the plate. On Sunday, Guerrero went 0-4 in the Blue Jays' 3-2 loss.
What's Wrong with Guerrero's Game?
Guerrero is hitting just .268 with a below-average .697 OPS and has only 4 homers this season, including zero at home at Rogers Centre.
Why Schneider Won't Bench Him
Schneider remains committed to Guerrero, the team's highest-paid player, who makes $40.2 million this season. Guerrero earned that contract because he has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past five seasons.
Guerrero has been terrible for the Blue Jays this year, yet Schneider has not benched him or dropped him out of the top three spots in the order. And, despite fans on social media calling for the star slugger to sit on the pine, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen anytime soon.
What Comes Next for the Blue Jays?
The Blue Jays have a 39-45 record through 84 games this season, a far cry from the 94-game win pace they set last season. So much was expected of the team this season, and particularly of Guerrero, who was otherworldly in the postseason last year.
But he has been absolutely terrible this year, and the team has been extremely disappointing as a whole. Still, changes are not coming even though the fans want to see them, as Schneider stays loyal to his players.
The Blue Jays were swept in four games at home by Texas, their sixth straight defeat. Schneider told reporters that Guerrero will not be benched, saying “Not going to bench him. No, I think there’s always a time when a guy needs a little bit of a break, whether it’s physically, mentally or whatever it is… it’s no secret we’re going to need Vlad, if we want to be good.”
Guerrero's struggles have been a major factor in the Blue Jays' disappointing season. He has been actively hurting the team with his poor at-bats, lack of hustle, and general disengagement at the plate this season and on the basepaths.
Schneider also offered his opinion as to why the Blue Jays are struggling so much this season, suggesting that the team keeps going down early in games and finds it difficult to climb out of a hole. “We’re not getting any offense going early in games -that’s well documented.. when you’re down 5, 6 runs early, makes it tough for the bats… time of possession is a real thing,” Schneider said.
The Blue Jays will need to turn it around quickly if they want to make it to the playoffs this year. Guerrero will be a key factor in that, and Schneider is counting on him to break out of his slump.
Guerrero's contract is a 14-year, $500 million deal, and he is expected to be a major contributor to the team's success. But so far this season, he has not lived up to those expectations.
The Blue Jays will look to bounce back from their recent losses and get back on track. Guerrero will be a key part of that, and Schneider is giving him the opportunity to break out of his slump and lead the team to victory.