For weeks now, the conversation around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has completely shifted. He went from being the “$500 million first baseman” to “Where are those home runs?” really fast.

The Toronto Blue Jays just locked down the face of the franchise to a massive 14-year deal after the season began. It was a long time coming, and even looked impossible at one point, because both parties were not on the same page. But the Jays did the unthinkable by handing Vladdy a deal that no first baseman ever pulled. And in return, Toronto got silence!

Guerrero Jr.’s bat was silent, and he smashed zero home runs in the initial games. For a guy who had 30 home runs last season and 47 the year before, this seems out of place. Of course, the questions of whether the Jays made a mistake started creeping in. But right when the whispers were getting loud, the internet reminded everyone why Vlad’s value goes beyond just his raw power.

A clip of the 2023 season has resurfaced on X, where Guerrero Jr. pulled a stunt so good that it is almost unbelievable. It was their routine game against the Cincinnati Reds. A routine pop-up. A runner on first. Vladdy sees the situation and knows that the baserunners are stuck in no man’s land. So what does he do next? He lets the ball drop on purpose.

This tiny delay turns into a 3-4-6 double play. It was simply brilliant and cold-blooded. Not to mention, totally legal somehow. And just like that, the clip reminded everyone that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doesn’t just hit hard; he also thinks fast. And sure, the Jays lost that game, but Vlad’s move stuck with people. It showed his IQ is sharp.

And this is why he justifies the amount that the Toronto Blue Jays pay him. He can read the field, and not many can do this.

For the Jays, given they have the face of the franchise now, they have to build around him. And as if on cue, after 69 homerless at-bats, Guerrero finally was able to do what everyone expected him to do—smash a home run—and it was EPIC!

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally goes deep

After plenty of side-eyes and a little dread from the fan base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally launched one. While playing against the Atlanta Braves, he crushed his first homer. The Jays even won the game 3-1, so a great day for the team and Vladdy. Cameras panned towards him as he muttered three words on his way back to the dugout: “About f—— time.”

It just shows how much pressure was lifted off him.

However, if you’re being honest, one home run doesn’t fix everything. Since Guerrero Jr. signed his deal, the Jays have been in deep water. They are 5-5 over the last 10 games. They slashed. 252/.317/.368, and even though the hits are coming, the power is still not enough. However, they did climb up three spots in the power rankings to No. 12 on MLB.com. The only problem is that even at the hitter-friendly Rogers Park, Springer and Santander haven’t gotten hot, Vlad’s just got one, and Bo Bichette has zero.

Things do need to heat up a little more, for sure. And speaking of Bo Bichette, he is expected to stay with the Jays with a $200 million extension. He might not be in hot form now, but he is one of the best shortstops in the game, without a doubt. And Toronto would need him alongside Vlad for power.

For now, it remains to be seen if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can keep up the form and prove why he is worth that half a million dollars.