One-on-one with Blue Jays birthday boy Vlad Guerrero Jr. : 'I'm going to be more vocal'

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DUNEDIN, Fla. — It’s a quiet Saturday morning for Vlad Guerrero Jr., who along with most of his veteran Blue Jays starters has stayed behind from a two-day mini-trip across the state for a pair of Grapefruit League games in Jupiter, Fla.

He is relaxed, sitting at his locker in a mostly empty Jays clubhouse at the team’s player development complex, as a morning of batting practice and defensive work awaits.

How relaxed?

With less than two weeks remaining until opening day, Guerrero is as comfortable as we’ve seen him heading into what will be his seventh big-league season. And in a rare interview conducted in English, he gets his points across forcefully and with ease in his second language.

It’s just a subtle thing, and the majority of his interactions with the media will continue to be done through a team translator. But the fact that Guerrero — the birthday boy who turns 26 on Sunday — is comfortable enough to engage is yet another visible step in his maturity and development.

His English is getting smoother by the year as he gets more at ease articulating his thoughts. He certainly communicates aptly with teammates and coaches in his second language.

As for his presence as a more outgoing voice on the team, Guerrero intends to bring that to the field in 2025, a big season for him personally and professionally.

“Not a leader, but I’m going to be more vocal,” Guerrero tells me. “I haven’t talked too much in the past, but this year I’m going to be more vocal. I’m going to lead by example in everything. I feel comfortable with that.”

Why now? Well for one, Guerrero values winning above most things. In a clubhouse full of players frustrated with a 74-win 2024 season, he’s determined to help his team change course.

“I think it’s because it’s time,” Guerrero said when we asked him about how he plans go about having his voice heard. “I’m a little bit older now. A little bit more mature. It’s time.”

Guerrero reiterated that he intends to be less vocal about his contract situation — “even if you ask me about it, I’m not going to say anything.” And that’s probably for the best for all involved.

To this point, of course, there is plenty that has been said about the $500 million US or more he’s seeking from the Jays — both from occasional conversations with the Spanish media and from leaks from those familiar with the team’s stance that have revealed the depth of impasse between the two sides.

As the long slow walk to potential free agency makes its way through the season, it’s a story that won’t go away. That doesn’t mean it will thwart Guerrero’s focus, however.

In fact, of the handful of players we’ve discussed the all-star first baseman with over the past week, the consensus is that Vlad is handling his superstardom better and with more aplomb than ever.

“This is my fourth year here and its so different than my first year when I came in,” starting pitcher Kevin Gausman said of Guerrero and another young leader, shortstop Bo Bichette. “You can kind of tell that they have changed their mentality, that guys aren’t just looking at them like young guys any more. I think (Vladdy and Bichette) kind of really took to that.”

As for the lead-by-example, the speak-up-when-needed mantra, Gausman certainly took note at one of the endless defensive drills in camp when, let’s just say, the work wasn’t exactly crisp. As tedious as the drills can be, some certainly took note when some sloppiness crept in.

“You’ve seen it early in spring,” Gausman said. “Even if a pitcher messes up a PFP (pitcher fielding practice) or something, Vlad is one of the guys who is like: ‘Hey, let’s do that again. Let’s get it right.’ Those are the little things that can go a long way for setting the tone of being accountable and that we expect greatness.”

Manager John Schneider has talked about Guerrero’s “development as an adult” and an emergence and acceptance as the “face of the franchise.” It was probably always going to be the case, but it required

Guerrero being ready for it. And now may be that time.

Another notable step in Guerrero’s evolution has been an ongoing physical transformation through the past two off-seasons. Working with Tampa personal trainer Nicole Gabriel, Guerrero has thrived under her push. Spending most of the winter at his Florida home — which his family loves — has made it easy.

“She has a plan for me,” Guerrero said of Gabriel. “Every day she’s there with me, there is a plan. She finds a way to help make me better every day with her plan. An that’s what I like. That’s what I want to make sure I do — be better every day.”

The work has clearly paid off. Those who have seen him in action, see a leaner, stronger version of the player that is widely considered one of the best hitters in baseball.

And Guerrero feels it, as well.

“I feel quicker, but most importantly I feel stronger, too,” Guerrero said. “I feel better than I did last year at this point. I worked hard to feel that way.”