Blue Jays' Schneider: Guerrero will have 'louder voice' without Bichette

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider believes star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can have a bigger impact as a clubhouse leader following Bo Bichette's offseason departure to the New York Mets.

"If anything, it allows Vlad to have a louder voice and be more free," Schneider said Monday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "When you get so locked in with somebody day-to-day for eight or 10 years, you have that as a norm. I think this is an opportunity for Vlad to have a louder voice and understand that this has been his team, and it's going to continue to be his team."

Guerrero and Bichette first teamed up in the Blue Jays' minor-league system in 2017 before making their MLB debuts in 2019. The duo helped Toronto reach the playoffs four times, including a run to the 2025 World Series after winning the club's first AL East title since 2015.

However, the Blue Jays opted to add Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers in free agency instead of re-signing Bichette, who joined the Mets on a three-year, $126-million deal in January. Although Guerrero was initially saddened by Bichette's decision, he acknowledged that such moves are part of the business of baseball.

Guerrero, who entered last spring with extension negotiations at an impasse before ultimately landing a 14-year, $500-million contract, said he's feeling confident heading into camp amid the roster changes.

"We acquired new players, great players. I think this is going to be more fun," Guerrero said through an interpreter. "I'm actually happier than last year. For whatever reason, I'm happier and feeling great. I have good feelings about this year, and I know we're capable of doing a lot of good things."

The 26-year-old will look to build on a postseason run in which he slashed .397/.494/.795 with eight homers and 15 RBIs over 18 games en route to winning ALCS MVP.