Take your time, Young Vlad
By Blue Ox
5 years agoVlad, you’ve got our attention. But come on man, simmer down. You’ve gotta cool off at least a bit – focus less on destroying the ball and more on defense. Every day you continue mashing the AA level gives more credence to those shouting for your arrival on the MLB team.
Don’t get me wrong kid, you’re a generational talent – one that has already carved out a special place in the hearts and minds of most of Blue Jays Nation. Thing is dude, you’re killing us! You’ve somehow turned Jays fans against Donaldson with your bat – that’s one helluva thing to do to a guy only three years removed from his MVP season.
Could you prove yourself at the MLB level, probably; could you compete, most likely; contribute, sure. The concern shouldn’t be about if you are ready but if bringing you up is worth the cost.
The Jays already are shuffling players to get them on the MLB team. Seems like they could be circumventing aspects of the CBA by ensuring players are on the DL (or whatnot) to avoid having to push them through waivers.
Vlad, we’re enamored with you. Thing is if we call you up, someone is being sent down. Who though? Gurriel and Urena are already swing bodies, Teoscar has the potential but he’s producing too well. Tepera could go down but with Osuna gone he’s become even more important. Maile’s got an option year, but he’s the feel good story of 2018!
Not sure what to tell ya. We’d love to see you at the MLB level but it would cost us a body. Could be Teoscar if the team doesn’t want to run the risk of losing an option-less player to waivers – I’m still holding out hope for Grichuk. Don’t make me turn against Grichuk, I’m one of the few still riding his bandwagon and it’s getting very lonely.
The MLB team has a glut of infield options and your potential arrival is only making this problem loom larger. Heck, the minors is in the same situation. You’re the shining star who we know is our future. You’re the promise of better times ahead. Our mutual success cannot rely solely on your shoulders though. It doesn’t work this way in baseball, otherwise Mike Trout and his Angels would have won a few World Series by now.
For you to truly be successful, you need support. You’ve got your father’s support and your father has every Jays fan’s support. We are here, resting our hopes and dreams on your shoulders. It’s a heavy load to bare. It’s an unfair load for a teenager to carry. For you to competently shoulder this burden you need more than the support of your father and BJN. You need quality players surrounding you.
Patience is key. We are here. We will continue to be here.
Sep 3, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Dunedin Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr (27) smiles in the dugout against the Clearwater Threshers at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jurickson Profar – feels like he’s been around for years. The guy’s only 25, but was called up as a teenager. Like you, he was a top prospect. Like you, he deserved the call-up. His arrival was exciting, just as the arrival of every top prospect is. Since that time, Jurickson has struggled. Sure, he’s turning the corner this season but starting his clock early has handcuffed Texas management into keeping him around – he has no remaining options. Delaying his arrival might have been the best thing for everyone involved, Profar the most. If they allowed him to develop longer he might have avoided growing pains while allowing his team the flexibility it needed to be competitive.
Patience is key. We are here. We will continue to be here.
You’ve been compared to the greats of the game. Your performance to date makes these comparisons seem reasonable. Griffey Jr and A-Rod are inevitable comparisons. You’re not the same player as either, but your arrival timeline is damn similar. Both Griffey and A-Rod benefited from arriving early, but both could have provided far more success to those around them if they were patient – if the Mariners were patient.
The Mariners’ experience is a cautionary tale. Blue Jays Nation should be wary of calling you up too early, starting your clock, and losing you to FA in a way similar to A-Rod’s departure from Seattle. A-Rod arrived at 18, losing his rookie eligibility the next season (1995). Over the combined 208 plate appearances, A-Rod’s combined wRC+ was 84 with offensive WAR of negative 6 in each season. Sure, the experience he gained benefited A-Rod but did it benefit the Mariners?
Well…we could discuss this for days (and I’m sure it will be) but the point I tend to focus on is what would have happened if A-Rod’s clock was delayed by one year. We all know A-Rod left for Texas as a FA in 2001, the same year his former club finished the season with a 109-53 record. Carlos Guillen did an admirable job replacing A-Rod, but the two provided very different offensive values. 2001 Guillen had a wRC+ of 89 compared to A-Rod’s 159.
By delaying A-Rod’s arrival by a year the Mariners could have had A-Rod rather than Guillen playing SS for their memorable 109 win season. Oh, what could have been.
Patience is key. We are here. We will continue to be here.
Vlad, we are selfish fans. We’re no different than any other fan – we’d sell our favorite player if it meant winning it all. We want to have our cake and eat it too. We want you to arrive today, but we want to have you around for as long as possible. We’re indecisive, but we’re so damn adamant about our opinions with complete disregard to our indecisiveness.
You are causing Jays fans to argue, to debate but at the core of these discussions is a love for the Jays and a desire to see you be successful. These are fights we should relish, only the lucky get the honour of having them. Thank you for causing BJN this pain, we are blessed.
You’re financially well off. Signing with the Jays probably meant leaving some money on the table. With you it’s not about the money, at least this is my sense. You know you’ll get paid and you’ll get paid for many years. You’re not a late bloomer, the pay days will come and if they don’t you’ll still be financially well off. If it’s not about the money than what is it?
Pride, personal achievement, providing success to those around you – only you know what motivates you. If you pride yourself on helping others succeed, reaching their ultimate goals, than stay in AA for as long as possible, delay your clock, wait until after the Super Two deadline.
The longer your absence, the more reps guys you eventually will replace get. The more reps, the better the opportunity for them to move on and be successful in their own way. The more reps, the more insight Jays management can get into where these players fit in helping you win that World Series. This selfless action on your part provides everyone with a win and, possibly, you the biggest win of all – the necessary support to help you carry our hopes and dreams.
Could we win the World Series this season? I mean, sure. Could you help? You betchya. Is it likely? Probably not.
Bringing you up would help sell more season tickets. Sweater sales would sky rocket, just imagine how great Vlad Jr. would look on a Player’s Weekend sweater. Your arrival will cause an influx of cash into the organization. Good things will happen. BJN will be re-energized. Right now just isn’t the time, we’re still riding the high Donaldson brought us.
You are our future, the beacon that all BJN is drifting towards. We will celebrate your arrival regardless of when. We will embrace you as we see fit. You are not A-Rod. You are not Profar. You are not your father. You are Vladimir Guerrero Jr, lest we forget.
Take your time. Embrace your role, help develop your future teammates. You have already been crowned our future leader, now it is time for you to grow into that role. Growth best fit for the minors.
Patience is key. We are here. We will continue to be here.
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