Toronto Blue Jays veteran Kevin Pillar believes Alejandro Kirk’s absence from the lineup contributed to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s disappointing 2026 season, arguing that the primary baseman struggled with out dependable safety behind him.
Guerrero entered the season with excessive expectations after a formidable 2025 marketing campaign, however he fell in need of the offensive manufacturing many anticipated. Pillar believes the absence of Kirk, who signed a five-year, , pressured Toronto to seek for replacements who might present the lineup help Guerrero wanted. Kirk was absent from the Blue Jays’ lineup from April to June after fracturing his left thumb. He sustained the damage on April 3 whereas catching a foul tip in opposition to the Chicago White Sox.
Talking in regards to the Blue Jays’ offensive struggles, Pillar defined how the group struggled to discover a constant hitter to bat behind Guerrero. He additionally acknowledged that Guerrero needed to take duty for his personal performances and highlighted that the group struggled to discover a dependable alternative, turning to gamers like Jesus Sanchez to fill the hole and supply the lineup safety Guerrero wanted. Pillar stated:
“However with out Alejandro Kirk within the lineup, you already know, they have been on the lookout for guys like Jesus Sanchez to step up. They have been rotating some guys form of in that spot to guard Vladdy. And clearly Vladdy didn’t actually assist himself out this yr by not having the kind of yr we predict he’s speculated to. However a giant a part of a man like Vladdy having an excellent yr is understanding he has somebody behind him. And I believe that acquired uncovered this yr when he went out of the lineup.”
Vladimir Guerrero’s struggles got here within the first season of his 14-year, $500 million contract extension. The Blue Jays additionally endured a disappointing marketing campaign, ending with a 79-83 file and lacking the playoffs.
He later confronted criticism over feedback about his contract throughout a Spanish-language interview with Dominican TV host Veronica Batista, prompting him to make clear his remarks to reporters in Baltimore in September.
What did Vladimir Guerrero Jr. say about his controversial comment on his contract and disappointing 2026 season?
Throughout his dialog with reporters in Baltimore in September, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. d that his feedback had been taken out of context. He additionally expressed disappointment that he had been unable to assist Toronto attain the postseason.
“That was a quote from the interview when she requested me how I felt about this yr. I stated that, clearly, I really feel actually dangerous in regards to the yr that I had, that I couldn’t assist my group get to the postseason. I stated I felt, that it’s my private opinion, that each participant will get paid for what they’ve accomplished,” stated Guerrero.
He added:
“With that stated, you guys have gotten to do not forget that I signed my contract at first of final yr, then I did put up an excellent yr. Then, the form of playoffs that I had to assist the group get into the World Sequence.”
Vladimir Guerrero completed the 2026 common season with a .260 batting common, 9 dwelling runs and 57 RBIs throughout 144 video games.
Learn extra:
n
s
School Sports activities Community has you lined with the newest information, evaluation, insights, and trending tales in s, l, l, l, and l!
