MLB Highlights: Rays 3, Blue Jays 2
Jonathan Aranda hit a two-run homer and Taj Bradley gave up one run over five innings of work to help the Tampa Bay Rays top the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2.
ST. PETERSBERG, Fla. — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may have moved across the infield before the 2020 season, going from third to first base, but mentally he never really switched off the hot corner.
“That’s my position,” the four-time all-star first baseman says matter-of-factly.
Understandable then, that when the possibility of a shift back to third in 2025 comes up, Guerrero immediately replies, “I would love to.”
Over the course of 12 games and 100 innings at third this season, including his 11th start in Saturday’s 3-2 Toronto Blue Jays loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, he’s really reacclimated to the position despite only four defensive innings there, two in each of 2021 and 2022, between his rookie season of 2019 and this year.
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His desire to switch infield corners opens up a slate of possibilities for the Blue Jays this off-season, when finding a legitimate clean-up hitter — a major lineup hole since Teoscar Hernandez was traded to Seattle after the 2022 season — needs to be a priority.
“Obviously we haven’t decided yet,” Guerrero said through interpreter Hector Lebron before collecting three hits, establishing a new career-best at 191 this season. “If the decision is for me to move to third base to make the team better, I’m good with that. I will be working hard at third base. …
“But at the end of the day, whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll be giving 100 per cent there.”
Teams shopping for offence can certainly find some among free-agent first basemen this winter, the market headlined by Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Paul Goldschmidt, switch-hitter Josh Bell and, if he opts out, Rhys Hoskins, whom the Blue Jays had limited engagement with last off-season.
The options at third base are much thinner, especially after Matt Chapman recently signed a $151-million, six-year extension with the San Francisco Giants that likely also pushed the price for Alex Bregman, one of the most complete pending free agents, tens of millions beyond that total.
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Beyond the Houston Astros star there’s Eugenio Suarez — who might become available if Arizona declines his $15 million option, but wasn’t pursued by the Blue Jays last winter when Seattle was looking to dump his contract — and a slate of replacement-level players that don’t really address the Blue Jays’ needs.
The trade market offers other possibilities while the Blue Jays could also stick in-house, play Spencer Horwitz — who drove in a run Saturday with an infield single that brought home Nathan Lukes after a Guerrero single in the fifth — at first and seek an impact bat for second, left field or DH.
Whatever the case, the 2022 Gold Glove winner at first base is more than willing to take on the heavier demands of a full season at third base.
“Even if it’s 200 games, I’ll be ready. That’s my position,” Guerrero reiterated. “It’s like when they moved me to first, you’ve got to adapt. If I know I’m going to be the third baseman, I’ll be preparing myself, working very hard to adapt to third. But again, that’s my position, so I’ll be fine there.”
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