Blue Jays' Gausman calls Guerrero Jr. the 'perfect franchise player'

March 26, 2026 - 4:35pm

Watch the full media availability from Blue Jays' Opening Day starter Kevin Gausman, to discuss the honour of getting this opportunity, what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. means to his teammates, this franchise and this country in general, and much more.

Coming off a 2025 season that extended to the latest possible date on the MLB calendar, Kevin Gausman and the Toronto Blue Jays return to the Rogers Centre less than six months after Game 7 of the World Series.

As the Blue Jays' opening-day starter put it Thursday, "It feels like we never left."

The quick turnaround has left Gausman with a "nostalgic feeling" as he prepares for Friday's start against the Athletics, ready to start all over once again.

"It feels like we're getting ready for Game 8...," Gausman told reporters at Rogers Centre. "It's something that's pretty weird. It's unique. It's the first time I've ever experienced it... But as a player, that's what you want."

Now on the doorstep of the Blue Jays' 50th season, Gausman and his teammates will look to chase a result that once again ends in late October or early November. But coming off the third World Series appearance in franchise history, has allowed some reflection before the new season gets underway.

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And for Gausman on Thursday, part of that reflection was on the step that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took in the 2025 playoffs and his emergence as the face of the Blue Jays.

"I think Vlad is the perfect franchise player, to be honest with you," the 35-year-old right-hander said. "He does everything the right way. He really engages with fans. He loves playing baseball. And if you watch him play, it's every pitch...

"I think he knew he kind of needed to take his game to another level. I mean, his post-season was incredible... He checks every box you can imagine, so we're very fortunate to have him."

Gausman and Guerrero, of course, have played together since the veteran starter landed in Toronto on a five-year deal in 2022 and have been two of the most prominent Blue Jays of this era.

After both raised their play in the 2025 playoffs, with Guerrero carrying a 1.289 OPS and Gausman a 2.93 ERA, they will surely hope to carry those results into 2026 and lift the Blue Jays into position to claim a World Series title.