The Toronto Blue Jays have been notably active this offseason, bolstering their pitching staff with additions like Cody Ponce and Dylan Cease, and reinforcing their bullpen with the signing of Tyler Rogers. However, a significant piece of their existing roster remains conspicuously absent: shortstop Bo Bichette.
Bichette, a free agent after the 2024 season, demonstrated a strong return to form during his walk year. He posted impressive numbers, batting .311 with a .357 on-base percentage and a .483 slugging percentage. Over 628 plate appearances, he hit 18 home runs and an impressive 44 doubles. His performance not only makes him the premier shortstop available on the open market but also positions him as one of the top free agents overall.
This level of production has naturally drawn considerable attention. The Boston Red Sox, in particular, have shown a keen interest in potentially luring Bichette away from their American League East rivals. Reports from Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston indicated that the Red Sox and Bichette’s representatives have engaged in discussions, including a virtual meeting via Zoom.
The Allure of an Unfinished Season in Toronto
Despite the reported positive interaction with the Red Sox, Bichette’s future may very well lie with the Toronto Blue Jays. Longtime Blue Jays announcer Buck Martinez shared insights during an interview on MLB Network, suggesting that Bichette harbors a strong desire to remain in Toronto. According to Martinez, Bichette is keen on finishing his career alongside his close friend and teammate, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Furthermore, Martinez speculated on a potential positional shift for Bichette. He indicated that Bichette might be open to transitioning to second base, allowing for Andres Gimenez to solidify his position at shortstop. This potential arrangement, coupled with Bichette’s expressed desire to stay, led Martinez to estimate an 80% probability of Bichette returning to the Blue Jays.
Navigating a Positional Shift
The possibility of Bichette moving from his traditional shortstop role appears to be a recurring theme, regardless of his eventual team. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi has reported that multiple clubs have expressed interest in Bichette for either second or third base. Such a transition, however, would undoubtedly present a learning curve. Bichette has no professional experience playing third base. While he did make a single appearance at second base in 2019 at the Triple-A level, his professional career has overwhelmingly been at shortstop, with the exception of a brief stint in the 2025 World Series.
Bichette’s Impact Beyond the Numbers
Regardless of where he plays or which uniform he dons, Bichette possesses the talent to significantly enhance any lineup. His exceptional contact hitting abilities and his knack for driving the ball into the gaps for extra-base hits are well-documented. His presence in Toronto, beyond the statistical contributions, would also serve as a powerful message from the ownership regarding their commitment to building a championship-caliber team. After narrowly missing out on a championship in the 2025 season, there is a palpable sense of unfinished business for both Bichette and the Blue Jays organization. The prospect of him returning to help them take that final step could be a compelling factor in his decision-making process.
