Blue Jays Receive Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Request After Loss to Yankees
The Toronto Blue Jays dropped their second straight game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Toronto rallied in the ninth inning, yet the comeback came up one run short as they lost 5-4.
Toronto has not had the season anyone anticipated. After losing the World Series, the front office went all in this past offseason, spending heavily in free agency to build a deeper, more complete roster around Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Nearly two months into the regular season, the Blue Jays sit six games under .500, and the calls for more help have already begun.
"Vlady Jr. can't do it alone. He's missing some key guys, and the team needs to move quickly, either get healthy or bring in some help," wrote MLB legend Pedro Martinez after the game on X.
Vlady Jr. can't do it alone. He's missing some key guys, and the team needs to move quickly, either get healthy or bring in some help. #mlbontbs
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) May 20, 2026
Martinez remains one of the most respected figures in baseball. He spent 18 seasons in the big leagues, earned a spot in the Hall of Fame and finished his career in the 3,000 strikeout club.
Since retiring in 2009, he has stayed involved as a studio analyst, regularly offering strong opinions about the state of the game.
Martinez spent his prime years with the Boston Red Sox, who share the league's most storied rivalry with the Yankees, and he still roots against New York long after his playing days.
He supported Guerrero during last year's postseason run when Toronto eliminated the Yankees in the ALDS. He also supports Guerrero because he was teammates with his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., on the Montreal Expos, and both are from the Dominican Republic. Guerrero represented at this year's World Baseball Classic.
That likely explains why Martinez is pushing for the Blue Jays to add more help. The reality, though, is that Guerrero is also not living up to expectations. In May, he is batting just .153 with a .250 on-base percentage and .453 OPS.
It is a small sample, but for a player signed to a 14-year, $500 million contract to be the face of the franchise, it starts with him. Toronto does have plenty of players sidelined, including multiple starters, and both Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger remain out.
They do need to get healthy, but bringing in new players, as Martinez suggested, may not matter much if Guerrero continues to slump. Toronto will look to win the third game of the four-game series on Wednesday night.
Related: Blue Jays' Addison Barger News Emerges Before Yankees Game
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:31 AM.