Toronto Blue Jays veteran Kevin Pillar believes Alejandro Kirk’s absence from the lineup contributed to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s disappointing 2026 season, arguing that the first baseman struggled without reliable protection behind him.
Guerrero entered the season with high expectations after an impressive 2025 campaign, but he fell short of the offensive production many expected. Pillar believes the absence of Kirk, who signed a five-year, $58 million deal in 2025, forced Toronto to search for replacements who could provide the lineup support Guerrero needed. Kirk was absent from the Blue Jays’ lineup from April to June after fracturing his left thumb. He sustained the injury on April 3 while catching a foul tip against the Chicago White Sox.
Speaking about the Blue Jays’ offensive struggles, Pillar explained how the team struggled to find a consistent hitter to bat behind Guerrero. He also acknowledged that Guerrero had to take responsibility for his own performances and highlighted that the team struggled to find a reliable replacement, turning to players like Jesus Sanchez to fill the gap and provide the lineup protection Guerrero needed. Pillar said:
“But without Alejandro Kirk in the lineup, you know, they were looking for guys like Jesus Sanchez to step up. They were rotating some guys kind of in that spot to protect Vladdy. And obviously Vladdy didn’t really help himself out this year by not having the type of year we think he’s supposed to. But a big part of a guy like Vladdy having a good year is knowing he has someone behind him. And I think that got exposed this year when he went out of the lineup.”
“But without Alejandro Kirk in the lineup, you know, they were looking for guys like Jesus Sanchez to step up. They were rotating some guys kind of in that spot to protect Vladdy. And obviously Vladdy didn’t really help himself out this year by not having the type of year we think he’s supposed to. But a big part of a guy like Vladdy having a good year is knowing he has someone behind him. And I think that got exposed this year when he went out of the lineup.”
Vladimir Guerrero’s struggles came in the first season of his 14-year, $500 million contract extension. The Blue Jays also endured a disappointing campaign, finishing with a 79-83 record and missing the playoffs.
He later faced criticism over comments about his contract during a Spanish-language interview with Dominican TV host Veronica Batista, prompting him to clarify his remarks to reporters in Baltimore in September.
During his conversation with reporters in Baltimore in September, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. explained that his comments had been taken out of context. He also expressed disappointment that he had been unable to help Toronto reach the postseason.
“That was a quote from the interview when she asked me how I felt about this year. I said that, obviously, I feel really bad about the year that I had, that I couldn’t help my team get to the postseason. I said I felt, that it’s my personal opinion, that every player gets paid for what they have done,” said Guerrero.
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“That was a quote from the interview when she asked me how I felt about this year. I said that, obviously, I feel really bad about the year that I had, that I couldn’t help my team get to the postseason. I said I felt, that it’s my personal opinion, that every player gets paid for what they have done,” said Guerrero.
“With that said, you guys have got to remember that I signed my contract at the beginning of last year, then I did put up a good year. Then, the kind of playoffs that I had to help the team get into the World Series.”
“With that said, you guys have got to remember that I signed my contract at the beginning of last year, then I did put up a good year. Then, the kind of playoffs that I had to help the team get into the World Series.”
Vladimir Guerrero finished the 2026 regular season with a .260 batting average, nine home runs and 57 RBIs across 144 games.
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