The Toronto Blue Jays have unfinished business after losing in the World Series, but if they’re going to get back, they might have to do so without Bo Bichette.
The infielder is a free agent and is one of the best players available who had a major bounce-back from a poor 2024 campaign. He slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs. Before an injury early in September, he was on pace to lead all of baseball in hits. He is not without flaws, with his defense ranking near the bottom among big league shortstops.
However, he has been a key player for the Blue Jays since 2019.
Bichette should have many suitors, including the Blue Jays. However, the Blue Jays are also involved in conversations with other high-profile free agents who could potentially price them out of Bichette’s market. On Monday, general manager Ross Atkins provided a vague update on where the team stands with Bichette.
Asked about Bo Bichette, Atkins noted Bichette’s ‘incredible impact on this organization,'” Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote on X. “Can he say when Jays last spoke to Bo? ‘I can but I’m not going to.'”
Atkins refused to answer questions about Kyle Tucker’s reported visit to the Blue Jays’ spring training facility in Florida as well. The Blue Jays have already made some big-name additions, one of which was Dylan Cease. However, Bichette is a fan-favorite who has noted he wants to stay in Toronto.
It’s unclear how long Bichette will wait for the Blue Jays if they feel they can’t sign him and other impact players they are eyeing. Bichette has been linked to other contenders, including the Boston Red Sox. If there is interest from other teams and the Blue Jays prioritize talks with other players, like Tucker, they could risk losing Bichette.
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