Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette will reportedly be on the trade block this offseason. He is set to become a free agent following the 2025 season. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Blue Jays will be open to listening to offers for Bichette this winter.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to entertain trade offers this winter for shortstop Bo Bichette, who has no plans to stay in Toronto once he’s a free agent after the 2025 season.”
– Bob Nightengale
— ⁶ (@Atkins2Alcatraz) August 18, 2024
Blue Jays Infielder Bo Bichette on the Trade Block
Bichette’s Down Season
What once looked like the face of the Blue Jays alongside teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks much different now. Injuries have impacted Bichette’s 2024 season. In addition, he started the season slow offensively. Before going on the 10-day IL, he was sporting a .223 batting average with four home runs and 30 RBI. The Blue Jays were big sellers at the trade deadline, and inevitably, they won’t be done in the offseason. There were once rumors that Guerrero Jr. wouldn’t remain with the Blue Jays, but he’s already talked about wanting to stay in Toronto.
Considering how well he’s performed since the All-Star break, the Blue Jays must focus on building the team around Guerrero Jr. It’s time for Bichette to thrive in a new environment. The Blue Jays need a new cornerstone player to tag team with Vladdy. Bichette has been a clutch player for the Blue Jays in the past, but he’s lacked the dominance and stamina that Guerrero is currently riding in his hot streak. The Blue Jays need the kind of consistency demonstrated by players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson.
Time For A Change
The situation in Toronto is unfortunate for the 26-year-old Bichette, whose value has plummeted. It’s possible that the Blue Jays hold onto Bo until the next trade deadline. But it will be interesting to see what his value will look like going into next season. What the Blue Jays get in return for Bichette will also be an intriguing subject. The fact that Bichette has already claimed that he doesn’t want to stay in Toronto once he’s a free agent demonstrates his desire to excel somewhere else. Bichette has three seasons where he has recorded 20 or more home runs and 30 or more doubles. He is still young and in his prime. He is also a two-time All-Star and has led the AL in hits twice. Bichette had 191 hits in 2021 and 189 in 2022.
If he can remain healthy and go back to his .300-plus hitting days, he will succeed with a new team. Sometimes just a simple change of environment helps to mend difficult times. Most players on struggling teams want to move forward from this injury-heavy season. The hype for 2025 has already commenced as many fans are waiting to see how their teams will approach free agency. Some big names are Max Scherzer, Corbin Burnes, Juan Soto, and Alex Bregman.
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