The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to bring back Bo Bichette, but that may not happen after all.
Toronto made it to the World Series, and after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the star shortstop said he wanted to be back. Blue Jays owner Edward Rogers, meanwhile, recently hinted at wanting the team to bring back Bichette.
However, on Monday, MLB insider Ethan Hyatt of JustBaseball predicts Bichette will leave the Blue Jays for arch-rival New York Yankees.
“The New York Yankees desperately need to make a big move this offseason, as they’ve watched from the sidelines while the rest of the division has made many moves and improved their rosters,” Hyatt wrote. “Aside from offering Trent Grisham a Qualifying Offer ($22.05 million), the Yankees have been relatively quiet, and Bo Bichette could be the splash they need to make.
“For ages, the Yankees have been among the top destinations for star players, and Bichette has certainly tormented them plenty over his years in Toronto. While the Blue Jays could still be in the mix for Bichette, New York could make a statement by swooping in and grabbing the two-time All-Star.”
If the Yankees sign Bichette, he would replace Anthony Volpe, which would put the shortstop on the trade block. But Hyatt believes it’s a splash the Yankees need to make, which would be a doomsday scenario for the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays Owner Wants Bichette Back
Toronto has been one of the most active teams this offseason, but the team still likely wants to sign a bat.
The Blue Jays have been linked to Kyle Tucker and Bichette, but Rogers hinted at the team extending the star shortstop.
“Bo has been a part of this team throughout his career. It’s home for him. I’m hopeful we have the best, most competitive team we can,” Rogers said to Toronto Star’s Gregor Chisholm. “I’m not part of that decision-making. That’s (general manager) Ross (Atkins) and Mark. We’re working hard to try to figure that out.”
Although Rogers would like Bichette back, he did say it’s up to the front office and trusts whatever decision they make.
“I’d say what we saw through the playoffs was that Bo performed well through the World Series run,” Rogers said. “But so many of our players came up, and I find teams that have deep bonds, obviously the stars shine, but a lot of other people need to shine to be a competitive team and we have amazing depth.”
Bichette hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs last season.
What Will Bichette Get in Free Agency?
Bichette is in line for a massive payday this offseason as he’s one of the top free agents available.
Entering the offseason, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel ranked Bichette as the seventh-ranked free agent. He also predicted Bichette would sign a five-year, $130 million deal.
“There’s also a chance Bichette’s market takes a turn similar to Bregman’s last winter, toward a shorter term with opt-outs (two or three years, roughly a $30 million AAV) if he doesn’t get the giant guarantee he’s looking for,” McDaniel wrote. “This has a real chance to happen because Bichette could hit the market in his 20s next winter, and a full, healthy 2026, maybe even with better defense, would really help his case for a big long-term deal.”
After Bichette dealt with injuries last season, he could opt for a short-term deal to return to free agency in a year or two.
Bichette is a two-time MLB All-Star.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Blue Jays Get Doomsday News on Bo Bichette Despite Owner’s Comments appeared first on Heavy Sports.