Blue Jays’ Aggressive Offseason Signals They're Not Done Yet - And Bo Bichette Could Be the Next Big Move
The Toronto Blue Jays are swinging big this offseason, and the message is clear: they’re not satisfied with just making it to the World Series - they want to win it all. After reaching the Fall Classic for the first time since 2015, the front office is wasting no time keeping the momentum going.
A 14-year, $500 million extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. set the tone early. Now, with Dylan Cease reportedly locked in on a seven-year, $210 million deal, Toronto’s sights are firmly set on bringing back Bo Bichette.
And according to former MLB catcher Chris Gimenez, the Blue Jays are in the driver’s seat.
“I think the Blue Jays are the frontrunner, and they should be the frontrunner,” Gimenez said on MLB Network Radio. “Because if they’re able to sign Bo, I think it’s a massive win for them.
You keep your guy, and you sign, in my opinion, the best available starter. And now you’re going to go and find somebody at the back of the bullpen.”
That bullpen piece could be someone like Pete Fairbanks or another high-leverage arm from the second tier of the reliever market. The idea is simple: re-sign your cornerstone shortstop, pair him with your ace, and reinforce the bullpen - and suddenly, this team looks like a juggernaut in the making.
Bichette, now 27, has been a foundational piece in Toronto since debuting in 2019. He turned down a $22.025 million qualifying offer, which means the Blue Jays will receive a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere. But make no mistake - the front office is pushing hard to keep him in blue and white.
Kodai Senga’s Future in Fluctuation Amid Mets Trade Rumors
Over in Queens, the Mets are navigating a more complicated offseason storyline. Kodai Senga, the 33-year-old right-hander from Japan, has made it clear he wants to stay in New York. But that might not be enough to keep him in a Mets uniform.
Despite Senga’s preference to remain in Flushing, the organization is reportedly open to moving him if the right deal comes along. That decision is complicated by Senga’s limited no-trade clause, which allows him to block deals to 10 teams - giving him some control, but not complete immunity from a trade.
Senga signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Mets back in 2023 and made an immediate splash, earning an All-Star nod in his first season. But 2024 was a different story.
Injuries derailed his campaign - two separate setbacks limited him to just one start all year. He bounced back strong to open 2025, posting a league-best 1.47 ERA over 13 starts.
But a hamstring injury in June sent him back to the IL, and when he returned, he wasn’t the same.
Over his next nine starts, Senga’s ERA ballooned to 5.90. With the Mets’ playoff hopes fading fast, the team made the tough call to option him to Triple-A in September. Now, with his future up in the air, the Mets are weighing whether to keep the talented - but injury-prone - starter, or move him while his value still holds.
Cubs Eye Ketel Marte as Potential Answer at Second Base
Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks could be looking to shake things up by moving All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte. The Chicago Cubs are emerging as a potential landing spot for the 32-year-old switch-hitter, and they’ve got the farm system to make a deal happen.
Infielder Jefferson Rojas and pitcher Jaxson Wiggins are two names that could be on the table if trade talks heat up. And from a financial standpoint, Marte’s deal is more than manageable. He’s heading into the second year of a six-year, $116.5 million contract, but will only earn $27 million over the next two seasons - a relative bargain for a player of his caliber.
The timing lines up well for the Cubs. They’re looking to stay competitive after losing Kyle Tucker to free agency, and Marte could step in as both a top-of-the-lineup bat and a defensive anchor at second. He’s averaged over 30 home runs and posted an OPS+ of 150 over the past two seasons - production that would go a long way in replacing Tucker’s offensive void.
And with Marte’s ability to hit from both sides of the plate, he brings versatility and balance to any lineup. For a Cubs team that’s trying to thread the needle between competing now and building for the future, this could be a move that checks both boxes.
Final Word
The MLB offseason is heating up, and three teams - the Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs - find themselves at pivotal crossroads. Toronto is going all-in, and if they land Bo Bichette, they might just be the team to beat in 2026.
The Mets are navigating the delicate balance of loyalty and pragmatism with Kodai Senga. And the Cubs?
They’re looking to make a savvy move that could keep them in the thick of the playoff race.
Stay tuned - the Hot Stove is just getting started.