The Blue Jays don’t need an expert to tell them that time is running out on Bo Bichette. From a casual perspective, it’s fair to wonder if this version of the team has reached its limit. They built a strong core earlier in the decade, but their momentum has faded, pushing them toward relative obscurity. As Canada’s lone MLB team with a massive fanbase, there’s a legitimate concern that their peak years may already be behind them.
Throughout the offseason, general manager Ross Atkins has faced significant criticism. While he hasn’t been under as much fire as John Mozeliak for the Cardinals’ struggles, he’s not far behind. Atkins has major decisions to make—first, determining whether Toronto will extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and whether Alex Bregman will join the roster.
Once those are settled, his focus must shift to shortstop Bo Bichette. When healthy, Bichette is an All-Star-caliber player at a premium position, with strong baseball lineage and plenty of good years left. He’s also set to command a significant contract in free agency next offseason. If the Blue Jays underperform this year, Bichette could become one of the biggest trade pieces on the market.
Of course, there’s still the possibility that Atkins and the front office pursue an extension, but it seems unlikely before his current deal expires. Toronto’s priority right now is securing Guerrero long-term and evaluating Bregman’s fit. Bichette feels like a secondary concern, which could prove costly for the franchise.
In an ideal scenario, the Blue Jays retain Guerrero, land Bregman, and make a deep postseason run. If Bichette plays a key role in that success, he might consider a hometown discount to stay. However, that outcome seems unlikely. A more realistic scenario is Bichette performing well but being moved at the trade deadline if Toronto becomes a moderate seller. While he’d be a rental for a contender, a return to Toronto in free agency isn’t entirely out of the question. That said, it’s more probable that he plays elsewhere next season.
At this point, Bichette’s value appears to exceed what the Blue Jays are willing or able to offer.
Do you think Toronto should prioritize Bichette over Bregman, or is their current approach the right one?
