Come on Vlad!!!

[Big_Walleye]

Vladimir Guerrero Junior.  A good player, some would say a great player, is in the worst 2-week stretch of his career right now.  When the team needs him the absolute most.

Right before spring training when he stood there and said the Jays weren't close in their offer, he talked (through Hector Lebron) about how his "Lawyers" were handling it.  I was pi$$ed off about the whole thing and started a thread about trading him for someone clutch.  I was quoted advanced stats, late and close numbers being good or something to that effect.  My response was clutch to me meant success in big moments of the season or in a playoff series.  It's the biggest moments of the season right now and where is Vlad? He's getting tossed arguing a pitch that was a strike.  He's hitting 40 foot dribblers to the pitcher on balls he should be destroying.  He's hitting into double plays.  He's getting paid to carry this team on his back, and failing big time.  Come on, tell me again that he's clutch.

Stats are for losers, isn't that how the saying goes?

[BlueAndBlue1974]

13 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Welcome to Jays Centre!

Thank you.

[Big_Walleye]

It was a nice win yesterday.  Did Vlad get a ball out of the infield?  I don't remember one.  He looks absolutely lost at the plate.  He's looks like he doesn't have a plan.  Does he even listen to the hitting coaches?  I've heard nearly every hitter on the team mention Pop, Lou and Hunter in their interviews, Vlad never has.  Mattingly is the only one I've seen working with him at all.  This slump he's in is extremely frustrating and the timing couldn't be worse.  Let's hope he snaps out of it TODAY!!

[mphenhef]

the vlad injury was just as big for this team as the Bo injury is.  He was on a heater prior to that injury and hasn't found it again since.

[Big_Walleye]

6 minutes ago, mphenhef said:

the vlad injury was just as big for this team as the Bo injury is.  He was on a heater prior to that injury and hasn't found it again since.

That's true.  And not having Bo behind him hasn't helped for sure.  Judging by the way he got down the line yesterday he's over the hammy injury.  It's time for him to get over this slump and put up some numbers.

[goldbug103]

25 minutes ago, Big_Walleye said:

That's true.  And not having Bo behind him hasn't helped for sure.  Judging by the way he got down the line yesterday he's over the hammy injury.  It's time for him to get over this slump and put up some numbers.

I’ll be happy just with some hard contact to the outfield. There are slumps and then there’s this complete suckage. We’re paying 500 M to a player that can’t get balls out of the infield ? Anyone from the minor leagues could do better.

[Olerud363.354]

One of the great threads on the old board was the send Vlad to Indy Ball thread.  He is slumping lately but overall he is having a John Olerud like season.  According to baseball reference he is the Jays best player.  I understand that most here like fangraphs better, but they aren't far apart, but bref likes his defense better for some reason.  

John Olerud was platooned, sat for Jacob Brumfield against a righty then sent to the NY Mets for seasons like this.  He often didn't get 23 homers and 83 rbis on account of sitting 25% of the time so got 17 and 65 instead and CIto got mad that he couldn't even drive in 80.   Point is Vlad's power, on base, rbi rate are exactly the same as what got Olerud in the dog-house. 

On the old board I mentioned Olerud and the 90s Jays far too much, so I risk starting off here with the same mistake.  However this is relevant.  Last night John Schneider sounded almost like Cito or Murph.  He didn't say pull dat ball I don't think, but he said something close.   

This was the mistake they made with Olerud.  Trying to make him into Joe Carter instead of a better version of himself.  Guerrero has huge power potential, but if for some strange reason he can't ever reach it again, but could be 97 to 2002 John Olerud should the Jays just go with that?  It would be a 5 WAR player worth the 35 million a year I think. 

I don't know.  He is in a huge slump lately and obviously has to be better, but what if better is .320 with a lot of walks, opposite field singles and 25 homer power?  Why not try to get him back to that ? 

 

[Laika]

I really doubt at this point that the team is trying to make Vlad do anything other than make better swing decisions. 

I bet they are sick to death of trying to turn him into someone who pulls the ball more or hits more flyballs. Probably got sick of is years ago and are resigned to the realities. 

[polar bear]

1 hour ago, Laika said:

I really doubt at this point that the team is trying to make Vlad do anything other than make better swing decisions. 

I bet they are sick to death of trying to turn him into someone who pulls the ball more or hits more flyballs. Probably got sick of is years ago and are resigned to the realities. 

Faux superstar.

[Spanky__99]

4 hours ago, Big_Walleye said:

That's true.  And not having Bo behind him hasn't helped for sure.  Judging by the way he got down the line yesterday he's over the hammy injury.  It's time for him to get over this slump and put up some numbers.

Yeah, nothing wrong with the hammy, he ran 29ft/s getting down the line, he's shown glimpses of coming out of it like in the game they clinched, hopefully he breaks out like yesterday, lol.

[Laika]

3 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

Yeah, nothing wrong with the hammy, he ran 29ft/s getting down the line, he's shown glimpses of coming out of it like in the game they clinched, hopefully he breaks out like yesterday, lol.

Vlad Glimpsero

[Omar]

 

 

[hanton]

Take some of that 500m and drop it on lessons at driveline 

I wanna here from Popkins, im sure he's got some ideas 

[Big_Walleye]

5 hours ago, Olerud363.354 said:

One of the great threads on the old board was the send Vlad to Indy Ball thread.  He is slumping lately but overall he is having a John Olerud like season.  According to baseball reference he is the Jays best player.  I understand that most here like fangraphs better, but they aren't far apart, but bref likes his defense better for some reason.  

John Olerud was platooned, sat for Jacob Brumfield against a righty then sent to the NY Mets for seasons like this.  He often didn't get 23 homers and 83 rbis on account of sitting 25% of the time so got 17 and 65 instead and CIto got mad that he couldn't even drive in 80.   Point is Vlad's power, on base, rbi rate are exactly the same as what got Olerud in the dog-house. 

On the old board I mentioned Olerud and the 90s Jays far too much, so I risk starting off here with the same mistake.  However this is relevant.  Last night John Schneider sounded almost like Cito or Murph.  He didn't say pull dat ball I don't think, but he said something close.   

This was the mistake they made with Olerud.  Trying to make him into Joe Carter instead of a better version of himself.  Guerrero has huge power potential, but if for some strange reason he can't ever reach it again, but could be 97 to 2002 John Olerud should the Jays just go with that?  It would be a 5 WAR player worth the 35 million a year I think. 

I don't know.  He is in a huge slump lately and obviously has to be better, but what if better is .320 with a lot of walks, opposite field singles and 25 homer power?  Why not try to get him back to that ? 

 

 

4 hours ago, Laika said:

I really doubt at this point that the team is trying to make Vlad do anything other than make better swing decisions. 

I bet they are sick to death of trying to turn him into someone who pulls the ball more or hits more flyballs. Probably got sick of is years ago and are resigned to the realities. 

I feel like it's the oppo power that's missing from his game.  It seems like he's trying to pull everything sometimes when he should be roping it over the 2nd basemans head.  The year he hit 48 bombs I seem to remember a lot of them being to right-centre.

[Laika]

Just now, Big_Walleye said:

 

I feel like it's the oppo power that's missing from his game.  It seems like he's trying to pull everything sometimes when he should be roping it over the 2nd basemans head.  The year he hit 48 bombs I seem to remember a lot of them being to right-centre.

I think his mechanics are just f***ed up AND he is making poor swing decisions 

[Big_Walleye]

Just now, Laika said:

I think his mechanics are just f***ed up AND he is making poor swing decisions 

That's also true.  He's in a bad place right now.  Hopefully he breaks out and hits 3 tonight and carries them through October.

[BlackCoffee]

On 9/26/2025 at 5:47 PM, Laika said:

I think his mechanics are just f***ed up AND he is making poor swing decisions 

Like when he reaches for a ball down and away with one hand left on the bat. lol No way he should still be hitting third. John Schneider and the front office are such simps for Vladdy. 

I sure hope Vladdy is spending some of those multi millions on his teammates that are carrying the team offensively. 

[saskjayfan]

The only part of Vlad's body that is struggling is the 6 inches between his ears.  One big hit.  That's all it will take to free the mind up.  One homer and that gorilla on his back will be shaken loose.  The confidence jumps and Vlad could be dangerous again.  Let's hope it happens today. 

[Big_Walleye]

31 minutes ago, saskjayfan said:

The only part of Vlad's body that is struggling is the 6 inches between his ears.  One big hit.  That's all it will take to free the mind up.  One homer and that gorilla on his back will be shaken loose.  The confidence jumps and Vlad could be dangerous again.  Let's hope it happens today. 

Is Vlad a "see- ball hit-ball" guy and nothing more?  He doesn't appear to have a plan at the plate.  He can't seem to pick up spin either.  Maybe he does need glasses as someone here suggested.  

[Big_Walleye]

1 minute ago, Big_Walleye said:

Is Vlad a "see- ball hit-ball" guy and nothing more?  He doesn't appear to have a plan at the plate.  He can't seem to pick up spin either.  Maybe he does need glasses as someone here suggested.  

Has Vlad ever been seen looking at a tablet in the dugout?  I don't recall seeing this.  You literally see everyone else putting in that type of mental work to figure things out (including the pitchers). 

[saskjayfan]

15 minutes ago, Big_Walleye said:

Is Vlad a "see- ball hit-ball" guy and nothing more?  He doesn't appear to have a plan at the plate.  He can't seem to pick up spin either.  Maybe he does need glasses as someone here suggested.  

 

15 minutes ago, Big_Walleye said:

Is Vlad a "see- ball hit-ball" guy and nothing more?  He doesn't appear to have a plan at the plate.  He can't seem to pick up spin either.  Maybe he does need glasses as someone here suggested.  

That's entirely untrue.  He wouldn't have a 12 percent walk rate if he couldn't pick up spin.  Be better.  Understand the game.

[Big_Walleye]

4 minutes ago, saskjayfan said:

 

That's entirely untrue.  He wouldn't have a 12 percent walk rate if he couldn't pick up spin.  Be better.  Understand the game.

Be better?  Understand the game?  Have you watched his at-bats the last 2 weeks?  Maybe it's you who needs glasses.

I'm just trying to understand what's wrong with this guy.  

[Eat My Shatkins]

Vlad is being paid like a superstar but not putting up superstar numbers, and he's prone to awful slumps it seems. I get it.

 

But for f*** sakes he's still arguably  the 2nd best hitter on the team with the 3rd best record in MLB.

 

People just never stop f***ing whining do they?

[Big_Walleye]

10 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

Vlad is being paid like a superstar but not putting up superstar numbers, and he's prone to awful slumps it seems. I get it.

 

But for f*** sakes he's still arguably  the 2nd best hitter on the team with the 3rd best record in MLB.

 

People just never stop f***ing whining do they?

He's absolutely a good hitter.  Even great at times.  It's the timing of his slumps that's disturbing.  Especially this one.  Some people rise to the occasion and some crumble under the pressure.  Do you think this team will have a deep run if he doesn't come out of this soon?  I pray that it's just an anomaly and he's going to wake up and carry the team to the promise land. On the other hand I worry that we have 14 more years of a guy who can't get it done when it matters.

Call it whining if you want.  Go right ahead and quote stats and numbers.  I trust what my eyes tell me and right now they're telling me he's terrible.  Stats are for losers.

 

[Jays24]

The problem with Vlad is that he's just so stupid.  He has talent coming out of his ass but the IQ in knowing how to unlock your potential is severely lacking. 

He already earned his 500M contract (undeservedly) so its not like Im expecting him to figure it out going forward...

[Spanky__99]

14 hours ago, Big_Walleye said:

Be better?  Understand the game?  Have you watched his at-bats the last 2 weeks?  Maybe it's you who needs glasses.

I'm just trying to understand what's wrong with this guy.  

He's in a slump, timing is off. What saskjaysfan said is right he walks at about the same rate as he strikes out, he does not need glasses, lol.

[Spanky__99]

13 hours ago, Big_Walleye said:

Call it whining if you want.  Go right ahead and quote stats and numbers.  I trust what my eyes tell me and right now they're telling me he's terrible.  Stats are for losers.

 

Lmao... this is so wrong on so many levels, mate.

 

[Spanky__99]

13 hours ago, Jays24 said:

The problem with Vlad is that he's just so stupid.  He has talent coming out of his ass but the IQ in knowing how to unlock your potential is severely lacking. 

He already earned his 500M contract (undeservedly) so its not like Im expecting him to figure it out going forward...

😅🦤

[max silver]

19 hours ago, Jays24 said:

The problem with Vlad is that he's just so stupid.  He has talent coming out of his ass but the IQ in knowing how to unlock your potential is severely lacking. 

He already earned his 500M contract (undeservedly) so its not like Im expecting him to figure it out going forward...

LMAO you of all people are here insulting somebody else's IQ. That's almost too good to be true. And I actually think that Vlad is improving his decision making on the field in this season in particular and making more heads up plays within the games. He's taken a big step forward defensively in terms of deciding to throw home, starting double plays etc., and I was impressed in a recent game when he managed to dive out of the way to avoid an incoming tag at first place on a throw that went wide.

[Big_Walleye]

8 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

Lmao... this is so wrong on so many levels, mate.

 

He hasn't been terrible down the stretch?  Go ahead and laugh I'm betting you won't think it's that funny when he does this his entire career when the chips are down.