Guerrero might be back at third for the long haul

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was back at his preferred position this week and how often he plays there will have a major impact on the Blue Jays’ plans for this upcoming offseason.

- GREGOR CHISHOLM

The Blue Jays will need Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to make the routine plays if he is going to play regularly at third base.

Guerrero made back-to-back appearances at third base on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He has made eight starts there this year and that number is expected to grow substantially over the final five weeks of the season.

No, the Jays aren’t on the verge of naming Guerrero as their new starting third baseman. He’s still going to get a lot of time at first base in the coming weeks, but a more permanent transition hasn’t been ruled out.

First things first, though, the club needs to make sure Guerrero can handle it.

“I’m going to be available to play third base and first base,” Guerrero told the Star through interpreter Hector Lebron.

“Whatever the front office decides, it’s not under my control. If they want me to play third, I’ll give 100 per cent to help my team win, but it’s not under my control.”

It has been more than four years since the Jays moved Guerrero off third and sent him across the diamond. At the time, the future AL MVP candidate was coming off a season in which he registered -20 outs above average, last in the majors.