Shock Move: Blue Jay Cut Ties With $33M Star
This winter could be transformational for the Toronto Blue Jays. So, equally, could be the 2025 season that comes next.
In 2024, the Blue Jays were one of the most disappointing clubs in Major League Baseball, finishing in last place in the American League East despite lofty preseason expectations. Aside from superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr., nearly everyone on the roster was a tremendous disappointment.
With many of their most talented players approaching free agency and/or becoming more expensive, the Blue Jays are caught in a busy intersection. Do they get aggressive and try to sign more superstars in pursuit of a World Series? Or do they back off and try to rebuild using some of their expensive talent as trade bait instead?
If the Blue Jays do consider rebuilding in some capacity, shortstop Bo Bichette will become the subject of rampant trade speculation, as the two-time All-Star hits free agency after the 2025 season. Zach Pressnell of FanSided urged the Blue Jays to trade Bichette away on Friday.
“Bichette is still young and packs a ton of talent, so his value in a trade would be higher than his play was last year, especially with how many teams are going to be looking for a shortstop this Winter,” Pressnell said.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers all come to mind as teams that would be aggressive in trying to acquire Bichette if the Blue Jays opt to move him.”
Bichette, 26, could hardly have had a worse season. He put up a ghastly .598 OPS at the plate, a full 200 points less than his career average, while missing half of Toronto’s games due to injury. But this is also a young player who has led the AL in hits in back-to-back seasons, so it’s not as though he can’t turn things around.
Moving Bichette would have been unthinkable for the Blue Jays a few years ago, but the brutal 2024 season they had could convince them to change course. And even if a preseason trade is unlikely, the Blue Jays could still be convinced to move Bichette by the trade deadline if their season goes south once again.