Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named Blue Jays' lone Silver Slugger finalist

Now that the Gold Glove Awards are all wrapped up, we're already on to the next offseason award. Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho finally got his due on Sunday evening with his first career Gold Glove nod, and now it's time to recognize the best bats in the game.

Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been named a Silver Slugger finalist among AL first basemen. The team announced the nomination on Monday morning on social media. Unsurprisingly, Guerrero is the lone representative from the Blue Jays this season, with a steep drop off in offensive production behind the four-time All-Star.

Guerrero put together an impressive season at the plate, slashing .323/.396/.544, with 30 home runs and 103 RBI, and he even managed to somehow score 98 runs in 159 games in the Jays' lackluster offense. He also set a career-high in base hits with 199.

The 25-year-old led, or was near the top, in virtually every offensive category among qualified AL first basemen. He had the highest batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and wRC+ (165). He finished third in RBI, second in home runs, and first in runs scored. His 166 OPS+ ranked fifth among all American League hitters. He led AL first basemen with 5.5 fWAR.

Guerrero is up against Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians and Carlos Santana of the Minnesota Twins. The Canadian Naylor topped Guerrero in home runs (31) and RBI (108).

Vladdy previously won a Silver Slugger in 2021 in his MVP-runner-up campaign and should have a good shot at winning his second this year. This comes after previously being named the Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year.

Per MLB.com's release: "The Silver Slugger Award has been presented each year since 1980 to baseball’s best offensive performers. Ten players in each league receive a Silver Slugger -- one catcher, one designated hitter, one utility player, one player at each infield position and three outfielders."

The Silver Slugger winners are decided by votes from every MLB manager and three coaches from each team. The 2024 Silver Slugger Award winners will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Network.