While the loss in Game 7 is still fresh in the minds of the Jays, their fans and the players/staff, the game continues to move forward and business needs to be done from the start. Players without a special contract next season are already considered free agents (but can only talk to their respective former teams for the next five days), and players with options (like Shane Bieber) have five days after the World Series to figure out their next move.
The Blue Jays, like every other big league team, have a laundry list of needs and wants for the winter months. Numerous players are headed to free agency, some roster holes need to be filled and small trades between teams have already begun, an avenue the Jays could (and likely will) explore in the coming months.
What should be Toronto’s biggest priority this winter? Bring back Bo Bichette.
Bichette made his debut in 2019 with his friend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and has become a top hitter at the highest level of the sport.
He led the American League in hits twice (2021, 2022) and likely would have led the AL again this year had he not injured his knee in early September and spent the next month or so on the IL. Over his career, the right-handed bat owns a .294/.337/.469 slash line with 190 doubles, 111 home runs and an .806 OPS over 748 games. Although he only played in the World Series due to his knee injury, he was an impactful bat in the lineup, collecting eight hits (.348) and producing a three-home run streak in Game 7, which was the biggest offensive outburst for the club in the eventual loss.
Although he struggled in 2024, both on the field and staying healthy, Bichette rebounded in a big way this campaign, asserting himself as one of the best infield bats available on the open market and still in his prime. His defensive abilities may be questioned at shortstop, but if you sign Bichette, the bat is his calling card, and teams may even consider using him at second after he held his own at the position during the World Series.
When asked about his future, Bichette said all the right things when it comes to playing in Toronto alongside his battery mate in Guerrero.
Toronto could slide Andres Gimenez to the left side of second base and return Bichette to his World Series position up front; The key here, though, is what Bichette brings to the table and how he complements the Jays lineup alongside Guerrero, George Springer, Alejandro Kirk and newcomer Addison Barger. His ability to get on base and take power at times is what the Jays would really miss if he were to leave, ending his Jays career on a sour note after being just one game away from a World Series ring.
How much would you be willing to pay Bo Bichette for his next contract?
The plan is simple: extend Bichette now and then turn your attention to other matters in the postseason.
With the contracts of Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer and possibly Shane Bieber off the payroll, there is room for the Jays to spend, especially since Kevin Gausman and George Springer will also be cut from the roster next winter (barring a return or extension for either of them). Adding to the mix is the fact that Rogers has made a ton of money this postseason thanks to the Blue Jays’ deep run. So maximizing the hot hand and giving general manager Ross Atkins some cap space to play with shouldn’t be a problem for a team that was already in the top five in spending last year.
Should Bichette find another team this postseason, the Jays will receive a draft pick in return, as the shortstop will likely decline the qualifying offer, giving the Jays an additional pick in the fourth round. However, that shouldn’t be a consideration for the Jays at this point, and they should pay the guy what he’s worth.
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