ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 3: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets in the dugout before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 3, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Toronto Blue Jays have spent much of the season trying to find the right formula for an offense that has not lived up to its considerable potential. Ultimately, that has put increased attention on franchise slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., particularly as his struggles have prompted questions about whether manager John Schneider should move the star first baseman lower in the lineup.“It’s easy for people to look at the Jays’ lineup every day and complain about where Guerrero is batting,” Gregor Chisholm wrote for the Toronto Star. “It’s much more difficult to come up with an alternative lineup that makes sense and isn’t throwing darts at a board and hoping it all works out.”ForbesBraves Former All-Star Sends 2-Word Update As He Tries To Save CareerBy Peter ChawagaToronto Blue Jays’ John Schneider Sends Bo Bichette Message Amid Questions About SlumpSchneider has faced a similar situation in the past and he recalled his experience with former Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette — who left the team to join the New York Mets this season — as an explanation for why he has been reluctant to use lineup position as a motivational tactic with Guerrero.Early in Schneider's tenure as Blue Jays manager, Bichette was struggling, and Schneider responded by moving him down to seventh in the batting order. But the decision did not go over particularly well with the former star player.This week, Schneider recalled that he had texted Bichette the night before informing him that the lineup was being shuffled without telling him exactly where he would hit. Once Bichette saw the lineup, he had some harsh words for the skipper and Schneider now views the decision as a foolish way to handle a slumping star.“That was reactionary and me being young in the job … and dumb,” Schneider explained, according to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “I think Bo is different than Vlad. You can strategically try to piss him off to get him going. I don’t think that strategically pissing off Vlad is going to change much.”That distinction is important as the Blue Jays consider how to handle Guerrero.ForbesDodgers’ Jason Heyward Reveals He Tried To Return To Cubs FirstBy Peter ChawagaToronto Blue Jays Manager Defends Lineup Decision Following Bo Bichette MoveDespite the pressure surrounding Guerrero's production, Schneider has made it clear that he does not view moving him down the lineup as a simple solution.“I don’t want to punish (Guerrero),” Schneider added, per Matheson. “I think if there were guys tearing the cover off the ball, that would be a little easier to think about, too. We are built, as a team, for Vlad to be a focal point of our offense. I don’t think that, with where he hits, he will be pitched very differently. I don’t think there will be more or less pressure if he’s hitting down in the order. I want him up in important”That philosophy helps explain why Schneider continues to view Guerrero as a focal point rather than treating his lineup position as something that should change simply because of a difficult stretch. And a few months after Bichette departed for the Mets, it’s evident that his old manager still remembers his reaction as he tries to navigate the Blue Jays’ ongoing offensive struggles.