Ross Atkins says Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is “fired up and on a mission” this offseason. The Blue Jays GM also shed new light on the slugger's laser eye surgery.

Asked about the procedure by Gregor Chisholm, Atkins clarified that Guerrero had previously been wearing contacts when he played.

That detail matters. It suggests the surgery wasn't just a precaution, but a real change to how he'll see the ball in 2027.

The timing makes sense. Guerrero is coming off the worst season of his career.

He hit .260 with nine homers over 144 games. His .688 OPS was a career low.

Can better eyesight fix a power outage? It's part of a much bigger plan.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s offseason overhaul goes beyond the eye surgery

He's reunited with Dominican trainer Junior Rodriguez, who guided him before his 2021 breakout. Rodriguez once identified limited torso mobility as a key cause of lost power.

His father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., and uncle Wilton are also working with him on his swing.

He'll get an early test, too. He's scheduled to compete in a home run derby in Azua on Dec. 13.

The GM's tone stands out. “Fired up” is exactly what Toronto wants to hear about a player in the second year of a $500 million deal.

The words are encouraging, but the proof comes in April. Toronto can't lean on hope alone, which is why the front office still has to add another big bat this winter.

Switching from contacts to corrected vision is like wiping a foggy windshield clean. You don't drive differently, but you suddenly see everything coming.

There's reason for optimism. In his 2021 breakout, Guerrero hit 48 homers, and the mobility work behind that season is back in place.

A motivated Vladdy is the best news the Jays could get this week. Whether that turns into a 2021-style rebound will define Toronto's season.