Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still has John Schneider's room, and Ernie Clement made sure that came through loud and clear.
Clement said Guerrero is “going through some stuff” and dealing with failure right now, but added that he is going to be better because of it. That is the kind of quote teammates save for a star who still owns the clubhouse's trust.
It matters because Guerrero's 2026 season still looks strange by his standards. Through 68 games, he is hitting .280 with a .372 on-base percentage, but he has only 3 home runs and a .737 OPS.
That is the disconnect Toronto keeps trying to solve. The batting average is playable. The on-base work is still there. The middle-of-the-order damage is not.
For most hitters, that line would be fine. For Guerrero, the face of the lineup and the player this club still leans on most, it feels light. That is why Clement's words land with more weight than a generic teammate quote.
Clement also framed the struggle the right way. He did not talk like Guerrero is broken. He talked like Guerrero is being tested, which is a different thing entirely.
That distinction matters in a clubhouse. When a respected teammate says failure can sharpen a star instead of bury him, it keeps the room from letting frustration turn into panic.
-
Toronto still needs Guerrero to carry the lineup
The Blue Jays do not need Guerrero to just survive at the plate. They need him to start changing games again. Through 246 at-bats, he has 27 RBIs, which is not enough thump from a hitter sitting in the middle of everything Toronto does offensively.
There are still hints that the turnaround can come fast. Guerrero has walked 34 times against only 30 strikeouts, which tells you the plate approach has not fallen apart.
That is why Clement's belief is easy to understand. Players notice when a hitter is lost. They also notice when the process still looks solid even while the results drag.
John Schneider has already spoken publicly about trusting Guerrero through this kind of stretch, and Clement's quote sounded like more of the same from inside the room. The manager and the clubhouse are still treating him like the lineup anchor, not a problem to hide from.
The pressure has not gone anywhere. Toronto is 34-37, and a team sitting under .500 does not have much margin for a quiet season from its best hitter.
But Clement's point is the one the Blue Jays have to cling to right now. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is dealing with failure, yes. The bet inside that clubhouse is that the struggle is shaping him, not sinking him.
Should Blue Jays fans stay patient with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. through this slump?
Also read on Blue Jays Insider :
Blue Jays complete unexpected one for one trade with the Royals
