TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 31: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during batting practice prior to Game Six of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, October 31, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays came within one win of a World Series title this season but they fell just short of winning a title and it could be a challenge to earn another shot anytime soon.
Even after locking in franchise slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a $500 million extension a few months ago, the Blue Jays could see a lot of talent leave the team this winter. Star veterans like Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa could all depart in free agency.
But perhaps the most talented player facing a potential exit from the team is shortstop Bo Bichette.
Bichette has been Guerrero’s running mate with the Blue Jays for years and he’s coming off of the best offensive campaign of his career, serving as Major League Baseball’s hits leader until a knee injury cut his regular season short. Now he is poised to earn a valuable long-term contract as a free agent and it’s unclear if the Blue Jays will be willing to pay up to retain their infielder.
Immediately following the team’s Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bichette was asked about his career future and he offered a telling five-word response on where he’d like to play.
“I want to be here,” Bichette said, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Of course, a desire to return to the only team he’s ever known won’t be enough by itself to guarantee a reunion. The feeling will have to be mutual with the Blue Jays, and the front office will have to be willing to at least match any other offer Bichette can find on the market. That might not be easy.
“For the first time in Bichette’s big league career, he’ll have options and suitors,” Mitch Bannon wrote for The Athletic. “Even after Bichette missed most of September and all of the postseason until the World Series with a knee sprain, he’ll be the top shortstop option on the open market this winter. He’s a game-changing talent at the plate and only 27.”
Bichette is sure to field lots of interest from across the sport, with the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees and more big-market teams as potential suitors. As a result, it will take a lot more than desire alone to guarantee that he sticks with the Blue Jays for years to come.