A few months ago, not only did it seem like the Toronto Blue Jays were dead in the dirt and would have to make drastic organizational changes, but many believed the team would also lose star shortstop Bo Bichette.
Bichette has been one of the better shortstops in Major League Baseball over the past few years, and while some don’t love his game, the numbers don’t lie. Bichette has led the American League twice in his career, is on pace to do so again this season, and has completely torn the cover off the ball over the past few weeks. He’s been a big part of the Blue Jays, now in first place in the American League East.
However, with his improved play comes an even bigger price tag, and according to MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams, that could come in a $200 million deal. He recently predicted teams will hand out top contracts during the upcoming free agency period and notes Bichette could receive that much.
“Bichette has shaken off a pedestrian start to the season and, more importantly, made last year’s lack of production in an injury-ruined campaign feel like a distant memory. He’s hitting .300/.341/.468 in 508 plate appearances overall, but that jumps to a stout .306/.347/.508 when looking at his past 380 plate appearances. Bichette’s power was M.I.A. for the season’s first five weeks or so. All 15 of Bichette’s home runs this season have come since May 3. He’s been on an otherworldly tear of late, hitting .404/.449/.633 over the past month…
“That extra year of his prime should allow Bichette, who’ll reject a qualifying offer, to land in the range of those other recent top-tier shortstops in free agency. If he sustains his absurd summer production (or anything close to it), he could push for $200MM or more,” he wrote.
Do the Blue Jays Have Leverage Over Bo Bichette?
Despite $200 million being a lot of money, some believe the Toronto Blue Jays will have the upper hand in negotiations for their All-Star. According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, he believes that if the Blue Jays give Bichette the money he’s looking for, there’s a very good chance they’ll win the sweepstakes.
“I’ve learned to think of these things in terms of tiebreakers. Money always wins, so for now, the Blue Jays have to set themselves up for the tiebreakers. That way, if both the Blue Jays and another team have a $200 million offer on the table this winter, Bichette will be tempted to stay and not be tempted by something new. Right now, I think they’re winning the tiebreakers,” he wrote.
Bo Bichette Wants to Win
For Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays, signing a $200 million deal doesn’t mean he stops pushing or settles for the money he earns.
According to Matheson, Bichette says he focuses on winning no matter what happens. He also calls out the Blue Jays fan base, saying he hears all the love from Toronto fans these past months. It’s an exciting time for the Blue Jays, and Bichette has been a big part of that.
Hopefully, the front office understands that.
“My priorities have always been to win, to be part of an organization that has that same goal in mind, and I want to play in an exciting environment. We’re checking all those boxes,” Bichette said. “It’s a special time right now, and the fans are definitely making their case known.”
Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette Predicted to Land $200 Million Deal After Recent Stretch