Guerrero Jr. Starts Offseason Work in Dominican Republic
The Toronto slugger is preparing for 2027 after a career-low season at the plate.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Baseball
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has begun his 2026-27 offseason preparation at Optimum Sports Performance in the Dominican Republic, where he will train with his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. The Toronto first baseman posted a .260 average with nine home runs and 57 RBIs in 144 games in 2026.
Why it matters
Guerrero's 2026 offensive numbers, including a .688 OPS down 160 points from 2025, were career lows for a full season during the first year of his 14-year, $500 million contract. His offseason work is aimed at improving his production as Toronto looks to bounce back from a 79-83 finish that left the team last in the AL East.
Guerrero's 2026 OPS of .688 was 160 points below his .848 mark from 2025, and his nine home runs and 57 RBIs were career lows for a full season. Toronto finished 79-83 and missed the playoffs.
The players
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto first baseman and son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., signed to a 14-year, $500 million contract that began in 2026.
Vladimir Guerrero Sr.
Hall of Fame outfielder who hit .318 with 449 home runs over 16 major league seasons and entered Cooperstown in 2018.
Optimum Sports Performance
Training facility in the Dominican Republic where Guerrero is conducting his offseason preparation.
The details
Guerrero had laser eye surgery early in the offseason and recently completed a practice session at Optimum Sports Performance with instructor Claudia Gomez. He will train with his father, a Hall of Famer who hit .318 with 449 home runs over 16 seasons, and his uncle Wilton Guerrero will also assist with training.
Timeline
2026 season: Guerrero posted career-low full-season offensive numbers.
Early offseason 2026-27: Guerrero had laser eye surgery.
Offseason 2026-27: Guerrero began preparation with Claudia Gomez and will train with his father.
2027: Guerrero begins the second year of his 14-year contract.
Season Trajectory
Guerrero's drop from a .848 OPS in 2025 to .688 in 2026 comes as Toronto missed the playoffs at 79-83, leaving the offense's rebound central to the team's competitive outlook. His father's Hall of Fame résumé, with 449 career home runs, gives the offseason work a direct generational comparison.
Fantasy managers weighing Guerrero for 2027 will want to track how his offseason work translates to power numbers after a nine-homer season. The contract's first year is now complete, so his production over the coming months directly affects Toronto's lineup planning.
The takeaway
Guerrero's offseason effort shows how quickly a player's production can slip and how a training reset is used to respond. Fans and fantasy managers should watch whether his power returns in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more in Baseball coverage for the latest on player development and team outlooks.
