Having the World Series or not makes a world of difference for young Guerrero.

Everything started when young Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally spoke.

Guerrero is the sun, the largest and brightest star, the focal point around which everything and everyone orbits. This is now indisputable, but a year ago it was unknown.

A year ago, at 8:01 AM on the first day of full-team training, Guerrero stepped out of the Blue Jays’ locker room and with one sentence sucked the air out of the whole stadium. "No." He had not reached a contract extension with Toronto before his self-imposed deadline, as if everything was about to slowly and painfully collapse. Today he leans against a wall 20 feet away, grinning, listening to head coach John Schneider praise the leadership and growth of this young man he has known since he was a prodigy kid.

"The contract matches him," Schneider said, "It’s obvious, right? He’s going to be here for 14 more years, the face of this team."

Of course, that deadline a year ago was never really real. The 14-year, $500 million deal firmly anchors him at the center of the Blue Jays universe. When the contract ends, he will undoubtedly be the most important and unique figure in this team’s history. The contract is signed, last October’s heroic feats are in the past, and now Guerrero is in a dream-like state: the money is secured, he's in his prime, playing for a team willing to invest around him and win with him.

However, Guerrero will move forward for the first time without Bo Bichette. The two have been teammates and close friends since childhood, climbing the minor leagues together and both seen as the future faces of the Blue Jays. Schneider said this is a new experience for Guerrero, but it might also benefit him.

"If there’s any difference, it’s that Vlad can now be louder and freer," Schneider said, "When you spend eight or ten years side by side with the same person every day, that becomes the norm. I think this is an opportunity for Vlad to realize this has always been his team, and it will continue to be his team."

Guerrero himself doesn’t speak so bluntly, but that’s intentional. He prefers to call himself a good teammate rather than a traditional "leader." The two are inherently the same. Year after year, spring training after spring training, Guerrero’s voice has grown louder. He has evolved from a quiet participant into an emerging leader, eventually becoming the voice that drowns out all others, demanding everyone try again and do better this time.

This spring training, Guerrero’s first public remarks felt especially relaxed. In previous years, the opening questions always revolved around his physique, last season’s disappointments, and his contract. All of that has now vanished.

"We brought in some new players, some great players. I think this year will be more fun," Guerrero said through the team translator, "I’m actually happier than last year. For some reason, just happier, feeling good. I have a good feeling about this year, I know we can do some amazing things."

After signing the $500 million contract, Guerrero feels happier at spring training. Maybe there really is a connection between the two.

As a player, Guerrero’s job is to crush opposing pitchers and defend the bases well. His 2025 regular season was only "decent," but his postseason performance showed the world he is one of the greatest hitters on the planet, a batter who has fully mastered his natural talent.

As a leader, Guerrero must drive the Blue Jays forward. This spring training cannot be a parade celebrating a World Series appearance. At 8:25 AM Monday, when the locker room door closed and Schneider addressed the team for the first time, that was the message conveyed.

"We’re not here to defend anything," Schneider said, "We’re not defending the AL East title, nor the American League. We want to attack 2026 like we did 2025. We want to work hard to win the division, and we want to work hard to win the World Series."

This is the most important message you’ll hear from the head coach all spring training. And the responsibility to fulfill it rests on Guerrero’s shoulders. The responsibility to push this team forward also rests on Guerrero’s shoulders. During the late stages of the World Series against the Dodgers, Guerrero walked through the Blue Jays’ dugout telling teammates, "If you’re nervous, just watch me."

He remains the person the Blue Jays look up to. He always has been, and now, he will be forever.