Vladdy earns some hardware after all following outstanding 2024 showing

It could be said that Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s bat is worth more than its weight in gold to the Toronto Blue Jays. Especially since he's bringing home some silver for a second time.

Guerrero has been named the Silver Slugger Award winner for first basemen in the American League. It's the second win for the 25-year-old slugger, who hit 30 home runs and 44 doubles for the Jays in 2024. He drove in 103 runs and scored 98 runs, while finishing with 199 hits and slashing .323/.396/.544. Guerrero's .940 OPS was his second best, behind only his 1.002 OPS in 2021.

Easily the most consistent hitter in the Blue Jays lineup this past season, Guerrero was the lone actual threat Toronto featured. The Blue Jays were near the bottom in almost every offensive category, such as finishing 23rd place in the majors when it came to runs scored. Guerrero did get off to a rough start, hitting only .229 and posting a .678 OPS in March and April. He took off in May and never seemed to slow down, as seen by his second-half OPS of 1.127.

Guerrero won his first Silver Slugger Award in that 2021 season, thanks to an incredible year at the plate that saw him finish in second place in American League MVP voting. He led the majors that year with 123 runs and 48 home runs, while posting a .401 on-base
percentage. Unfortunately, Guerrero struggled the next two seasons to get back to being an elite offensive player, despite two All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove Award, and a Home Run Derby win.

As far as the Blue Jays are concerned, Guerrero joins an exclusive group of fan favorites. The only Jays to win multiple Silver Slugger awards include Teoscar Hernandez (2020 and 2021), Josh Donaldson (2015 and 2016), Jose Bautista (2010 and 2011), Carlos Delgado (1999, 2000 and 2003), Joe Carter (1991 and 1992) and George Bell (1985 through 1987).

Tuesday's announcement comes just a day after the reveal of the American League Most Valuable Player finalists. Guerrero missed out on being one of the top three players selected for the MVP award, as Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals and Juan Soto and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees were named as finalists. Given Guerrero's run since May, it wouldn't have been a surprise had he made the cut, even with the long odds of Guerrero actually winning.

The Silver Slugger win shows Guerrero has returned to the level of an elite hitter. And it is just in time, as his possible extension should be a priority for the Blue Jays this offseason.