Bo Bichette Bichette told MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson and other journalists. “We don’t have any presentations, but from my point of view, we’ve all grown up and wanted to be one of those who have the opportunity to stay in the organization throughout their careers,” Bichette said.I just focused on what I was going to do this year to help the team win and be the best version of myself. Whatever happens will happen. ”
Although negotiations may still begin later in spring training, the lack of activity between Bichette and Jays is not surprising. First, Toronto faces a more pressing deadline in its talks with the extension Vladimir Guerrero Jr.as the first baseman said, he was reluctant to continue the discussion outside of February 18, the first day of the Blue Jays’ spring. Since the Guerrero extension will certainly represent the largest deal in Jays history and one of the largest deals in baseball history, such large negotiations are naturally a priority for the team before turning to any other contract matter.
There is also a simple fact that it is not clear whether Bichette is still in Blue Jays’ long-term plan, a surprising 2024 campaign. Bichette hit only .225/.277/.322 in 336 sets and has only hit once after July 19 due to a prolonged recovery from the right leg strain. My previous IL placement position earlier this season due to another calf strain, and in addition, he also had surgery on a fracture of his right middle finger in late September.
Despite the damage many other Toronto players struggled and/or struggled throughout the bleak year, there was little to nothing from a cornerstone player like Bichette, which was particularly tough on the roster. Bichette more or less started his MLB career in 2019 with a slash of 0.299/.340/.487 and 89 home runs from 2019 to 2019-23-year 2328 PA and 2328 PA. Bichette received a falling MVP support in each of the last three seasons, earning two All-Star nods while leading the American League by hits in 2021 and 2022.
In fact, at this time last year, there was a better long-term investment on whether Bichette or Gerero is the Blue Jays, as Guerrero received a relatively modest 118 WRC+ season in 2023, and then returned to the Superstars Form 2024. It should be noted that Bichette’s own 2023 campaign was not without warts, as knee and quad issues drastically reduced his production in the last two months of that season.
Matheson notes that considering all recent history, it is difficult to find a consensus between the two sides. Bichette will certainly feel like a huge rebound for a year, so he won’t sell himself at the asking price. From a Toronto perspective, the team wanted to see how (or whether) Bichette rebounded before considering his massive multi-year deal.
Once the star player enters the final season of free agents, the star player won’t sign the extension, so even if Bichette does return to form, it feels like he’s actually a test market lock next winter. Over the past few years, some trade speculation has surrounded Bichette, and although GM Ross Atkins has unwaveringly refused to trade Bichette, if Blue Jays struggles again, it may be in the deadline. More likely.
