The Toronto Blue Jays are officially in offseason mode after a gut-wrenching Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Blowing a 3-2 series lead to the reigning champs is the kind of sting that doesn’t fade quickly.
But in baseball, the offseason waits for no one-and for the Jays, that means turning the page and facing some major roster decisions. At the top of that list?
Bo Bichette.
Bichette’s name is already circulating in free agency circles, and his stock is on the rise. Despite a quiet postseason leading up to the Fall Classic, Bichette showed up in a big way on baseball’s biggest stage.
That kind of clutch performance, especially after a long layoff, tends to catch the attention of front offices across the league. And it has.
According to reports, multiple teams have expressed interest in Bichette-but not necessarily as a shortstop. With several clubs already set at that position, the interest is coming with a twist: they see him potentially sliding over to second or third base. That positional flexibility, paired with his World Series performance, has only boosted his value in what’s shaping up to be a competitive market.
So what kind of deal are we talking about here? Think big.
If teams are comfortable with his defense at shortstop, Bichette could be looking at a contract in the neighborhood of Willy Adames’ recent seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants. And given Bichette’s age advantage and the ever-climbing salary landscape, don’t be surprised if that number creeps even higher.
One projection has him pegged for a seven-year, $189 million deal-$27 million annually.
That’s elite money, and teams with holes on the left side of the infield are paying close attention. One intriguing fit?
The Boston Red Sox. If Alex Bregman doesn’t return to Fenway, Bichette could be a natural replacement at third base.
His bat would play well in that lineup, and the Green Monster could turn into a personal launching pad for the right-handed hitter.
Of course, the Blue Jays aren’t going to let him walk without a fight. Bichette has been a cornerstone of their core, and losing him to a division rival would be a tough pill to swallow.
But this is the business side of baseball. If Toronto wants to keep him in blue, they’ll need to get serious about it-and fast.
Because if Boston (or anyone else) decides to back up the Brinks truck, Bichette will have options.
The offseason is just getting started, but Bo Bichette’s free agency is already shaping up to be one of the winter’s biggest storylines.