Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. silent on expectations for 2023: "This year I'm not going to say anything. You gotta watch it" 

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is all business when it comes to expectations for 2023.

After previous statements that 2021 was "the trailer" and 2022 was "the movie," reporters inquired what 2023 was going to be for the team.

Instead of saying "the sequel" or making another brand of witticism, Guerrero quipped,

"This year I'm not going to say anything. You gotta watch it."

Guerrero has become the de facto team captain and spokesman for the Blue Jays after debuting in the major leagues as a heralded rookie in 2019.

His top season came in 2021, when he led the majors with 48 home runs, 123 runs scored, and 363 total bases. He logged a .311 batting average with 111 RBIs and led the American League with a .401 on-base percentage, .601 slugging percentage, 1.002 on-base plus slugging percentage and 167 OPS+.

Guerrero "slumped" a bit in 2022, hitting 32 home runs with 97 RBIs with a .274 batting average and leading the majors by grounding into 26 double plays.

"Last year, I put a lot of pressure on myself," Guerrero told reporters Friday. "As a ball player, you want to get better every year. You all know the numbers I put up in ’21. Last spring training, I came here to try putting up even better numbers, and I think that affected me a little bit. This year, I’m coming here with a plan, and I’m going to trust my talent."

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks on as the Toronto Blue Jays were swept by the Seattle Mariners in the 2022 American League Wild Card Series.

As Vladimir Guerrero Jr. goes, so do the Toronto Blue Jays

While the Blue Jays returned to the playoffs in 2022 after missing the 2021 postseason, the results were the same as when Toronto advanced to the 2020 playoffs: a two-game sweep in the wild-card round.

If both Guerrero and the Blue Jays can get on the same page for 2023, the results could lead to Toronto's first World Series appearance since back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.

"We want his mind to be on being a hitter," Toronto manager John Schneider told reporters. "Before he’s a 48-homer hitter, he’s just a good hitter. With swinging at the right pitches, I think that will even out the balls in the air and the balls on the ground. He’s aware of those numbers. The work that’s done and will continue to do will translate."