Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays were moments from a World Series title, and now they’re aiming for revenge. Actually, according to some of the players and coaches, the slate has truly been wiped clean. They’re not the defending champion of anything, and they’re just another team looking to get a World Series in 2026.
Toronto Blue Jays reveal mindset after World Series heartbreak
Had it not been for a small and utterly improbable bullpen lapse late in Game 7, the Toronto Blue Jays would be the defending world champions. Jeff Hoffman blew a save to number nine hitter Miguel Rojas, who blasted a tying home run in the ninth. They would later lose.
As it stands, they’re the defending American League champs and the defending AL East champs. That’s not how they view it, though. Manager John Schneider said via ESPN, “The main message is we’re not defending anything. We’re not defending the AL East, and we’re not defending the American League. We’re attacking 2026 like we did in 2025 or any year, really. You’re trying to win the division, you’re trying to win the World Series. That’s it.”
They have done a good job of attacking a World Series this offseason. While the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers did improbably get even better with the additions of Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker, the Blue Jays quietly aced the offseason, too.
They signed Dylan Cease to give them an ace. They also added Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto. The Jays traded for Jesus Sanchez, signed Tyler Rogers, and made a few other small moves. They were already one of baseball’s best, and they reloaded for another shot at it.
“Going back to the postseason last year, I think it’s really cool for everyone to be on that heightened stage and to see how they responded,” Schneider said. “I think that kind of bleeds into this year, but (Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.) has been a little bit more vocal than I’ve ever seen him, a little bit more loose than I’ve ever seen him and understands that he’s one of the best players in the game.”
His performance in 2026 will be a big factor in their ability to get back to the World Series.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had to move on quickly
The Toronto Blue Jays were up three games to two. The Dodgers clawed back and earned a clutch victory in Game 6 to tie it, but the Blue Jays responded by taking a lead into the final inning in Game 7. It didn’t work out, but they were agonizingly close to pulling it off.
“When I left, I felt like I had faced reality, and the only thing I had left to say to myself was just thank God for the year I had, for the year the team had had,” Guerrero said about moving on right after the loss. “Right then, I just turned the page.”
As for his role in 2026, he said, “I don’t see myself as a leader. I always put myself as a good teammate, and when you are a good teammate, then you become a good leader. I’m a good teammate.” Despite that, he absolutely is the leader of this team.
The slugger thinks the Jays have the potential to outdo their wonderful 2025 season and take home the title. “I think we’re very capable,” Guerrero said. “I think it’s going to be more fun, and I’m actually more happy than last year.” They face a tall task beating out some AL contenders, and of course, the Dodgers will likely lie in wait in the NL as they aim for a third straight title.
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