Toronto Blue Jays star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made a major decision during the offseason.
Guerrero Jr. is coming off a stellar season, leading the Blue Jays to the World Series, but Toronto lost in Game 7 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite playing more baseball than ever, Guerrero Jr. will play in the World Baseball Classic in March, manager Albert Pujols announced.
The Blue Jays slugger decided to play for the Dominican Republic instead of Canada. Guerrero Jr. was eligible to play for Canada since he was born in Montreal, but he instead will follow in his dad’s – Vladimir Guerrero – footsteps, who played for the Dominican Republic.
Guerrero Jr. is set to enter the first year of his 14-year, $500 million deal with the Blue Jays. He hit .292 with 23 home runs and 84 RBIs last season, but in the playoffs, he hit .397 with 8 home runs and 15 RBIs and was named ALCS MVP.
The World Baseball Classic is set from March 5 to March 17 in Miami, Houston, Tokyo, and San Juan.
Guerrero Jr. Wanted to be a Blue Jays Player Forever
Guerrero Jr. could have hit free agency this offseason, but he instead signed a massive 14-year extension.
After he signed his extension, Guerrero Jr. spoke at a press conference. He said it was his goal to be a Blue Jay forever.
“I am always going to remember this day,” Guerrero Jr. said back in April. “To see my family with me and to see my teammates with me, I feel like this is special. I don’t know how to explain how I feel right now. …
“I always thought about this. Always. Since I signed here, I always thought I was going to be a Blue Jay forever. That’s what happened today. Thank god we did it. I’m going to be a Blue Jay forever.”
Guerrero Jr. helped Toronto reach its first World Series since 1993, and the Blue Jays are looking to build off that.
Toronto has been active this offseason, as after the Guerrero Jr. extension, owner Edward Rogers said he was committed to doing whatever it takes to bring a championship back to Toronto.
“We have 41 million fans, Vlad, who are standing shoulder to shoulder with you, rooting for you,” Rogers said. “We have the most energetic and exciting fans in all of MLB, literally from coast to coast. It’s extremely exciting. We are committed to winning. Toronto deserves a first-class team, a team we’re investing in that has the potential to reach and win the World Series and bring the World Series back to Toronto.”
Toronto Among Offseason Winners
The Blue Jays made it to the World Series and are looking to build off that.
Toronto has been active this offseason, as the Blue Jays have signed pitchers Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, still remain in the market for a bat and are checking in with Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette.
If Toronto signs one of Tucker or Bichette, it would be the cherry on top of a stellar offseason for the Blue Jays.
Toronto has the sixth-best odds of winning the World Series at +1500.
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