MLB News, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will not participate in the 2021 MLB Homerun Derby at Coors Field. The Toronto Blue Jays have had a roller coaster start to their 2021 MLB season, one player that has consistently displayed his talents all season long as infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Not only has he taken his game to another leverl in his third MLB season, he has done so consistently each and every game. However, despite being the MLB homerun leader in 2021.
MLB News: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Decides To Skip HR Derby
The Blue Jays first baseman has without a doubt been the team’s best player all season long and all the while he is only 22-years old. Guerrero Jr. and has lead all players in MLB All-Star voting, and he has lead the league at various points of the season in home runs. This season he has decided to skip the home run derby and take the time to regroup and focus on the second half of the Toronto Blue Jays season.
MLB News: Guerrero Jr. Breakout Campaign
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will still compete in the All-Star game but will not be in the other competitions and this may not sit well with fans, it shows his focus and determination to help the Blue Jays win, and ultimately return to the postseason. Vladimir GUerrero Jr. now 22-years old has 23 home runs to date and is tied for first in the home run category, he leads MLB in RBI’s, on-base percentage, and OPS.
The Toronto Blue Jays are currently trying to keep pace with the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and the New York Yankees in the American League East Division. This has been an up and down ride for Toronto as they continue to navigate a depleted pitching rotation. The bullpen has blown multiple leads and given away a number of wins which would have changed the outlook of the team’s second half of the season, and yet the offense continuously has provided excitement and an abundance of runs often during the season.
The Blue Jays have begun their attempt to strengthen their depth in the bullpen, they also need to find ways to improve at the same time. Thankfully the team has been able to hover around the. 500 mark all season and still have the time to get back into a wild card spot.
MLB News: Blue Jays Agree To Terms with John Axford
The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with Canadian right-handed pitcher John Axford pending a physical. The Blue Jays have signed the 10-year veteran from Simcoe, Ontario. John Axford has not pitched in MLB since 2018 when he spent time with the Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The now 38-year old went 4-1 in 2018 with the Blue Jays and departed with a 4.43 ERA during his time in Toronto that year. He is far from the arm the Blue Jays would like to need at this time of year, however, the injuries continuing to pile up and the need for relievers has left Toronto’s management no option.
The hope is for John Axford to provide depth and add another option for Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo who has recently shared his frustrations with the bullpens inability to close out ball games when the team has a lead late in the game. There is still a lot of work to be done just in this area, and still other needs that have to be addressed before the trade deadline arrives.
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Proud of Vladdy making the team top priority..excellent article