Bo Bichette’s Free Agency: The Blue Jays’ Star Shortstop Is Still on the Market - But For How Long?
It’s December, and Bo Bichette is still a free agent. That alone is enough to raise eyebrows across Major League Baseball.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ star shortstop declined his qualifying offer, choosing instead to test the open market - and he’s drawing interest from some of the league’s biggest names. The Yankees, Dodgers, and Phillies are all reportedly in the mix, among others.
Meanwhile, Toronto remains in the picture, but they’ve been unusually quiet.
Here’s the twist: while Bichette remains unsigned, the Blue Jays made a splash by locking in pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal. That move sent a message - but what kind?
If Bichette was their top priority, why hasn’t he been re-signed yet? That’s the question circling around Toronto’s front office right now.
Whether they’ve made a formal offer to Bichette is still unknown, but the silence is starting to speak volumes.
Let’s be clear: Bichette is more than just a productive bat. He’s a fan favorite in Toronto, a cornerstone of the franchise’s identity over the past few seasons.
But the market hasn’t exactly exploded for him - at least not yet. Injuries and some inconsistency have likely tempered the frenzy, especially with marquee names like Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker still out there.
And that’s part of the issue. Until those bigger dominoes fall, Bichette’s market might stay in a bit of a holding pattern.
According to MLB insider Shi Davidi, there’s a strategic angle to Bichette waiting things out. “Maybe there’s some benefit for him waiting for Kyle Tucker to settle and then seeing where that lands,” Davidi said.
“More teams perhaps will be a little bit more focused on him once the Tucker situation [is] resolved.” In other words, once Tucker is off the board, teams who missed out could pivot quickly to Bichette.
Both sides - Bichette and the Blue Jays - have expressed a desire to reunite. But that’s easier said than done.
Toronto is clearly in win-now mode after coming within striking distance of a World Series title. They’ve been linked to Tucker themselves, and if they shift their focus elsewhere, it could signal a changing of the guard at shortstop.
So where does that leave Bichette? In a bit of a limbo.
The talent is there. The resume is strong.
And the interest is real. But until the market settles around him, he’s stuck in the shadow of bigger names - for now.
This saga is far from over. The Winter Meetings are just around the corner, and that’s when things tend to heat up.
If the Blue Jays truly want Bichette back, they’ll need to make their move soon. If not, one of their most beloved players could be suiting up in a different jersey come spring.