Bo Bichette's reason for leaving the Toronto Blue Jays revealed
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Victor William
Jan 19, 2026 (1:48 PM)
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Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays and Bo Bichette are splitting, and Buster Olney says both sides were ready to move on.
That quote hit a nerve because it matches what the last year has felt like, even when the team was winning.
The relationship always looked tense, like two sides waiting for the season to end so a decision could finally become official.
Now it's official enough to shape the winter. Bo Bichette agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets, and he's expected to shift off shortstop, likely to third base.
For Toronto, the headline loss is obvious, a hometown hero is gone. Bichette was the Blue Jays' second-round pick in 2016, and he grew into one of the faces of the franchise as he became a huge part of the organization over the last few years.
«I think the horses went out the barn door,» Olney said on the possibility of the Jays re-signing Bichette after missing out on Tucker.
«And in fact, I've heard that folks who attended Bo Bichette's wedding walked away from that saying, 'Yeah, his time with the Jays is over.' It just felt like both sides were ready to move on.»
-Buster Olney
«And in fact, I've heard that folks who attended Bo Bichette's wedding walked away from that saying, 'Yeah, his time with the Jays is over.' It just felt like both sides were ready to move on.»
-Buster Olney
Toronto Blue Jays now live with the choice
As a fan, it feels like relief and heartbreak at the exact same time.
Olney's point lands because both sides had reasons to be tired.
Toronto wanted clarity and payroll flexibility around Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bichette wanted a fresh start without every slump turning into a referendum.
The Jays do get a practical consolation prize. Because Bichette turned down the qualifying offer and signed elsewhere, Toronto will receive a 2026 Draft pick after the fourth round, which is not nothing but also not a replacement.
The bigger impact is what happens at shortstop every single night.
The club can patch it with defense, or platoons, or a younger option, but replacing a .311 bat in the AL East is never clean.
My take is this breakup can still be the right move if Toronto uses the savings and the roster spot aggressively. If the front office treats the comp pick like the «return,» fans are going to stay mad for a long time.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
Toronto Blue Jays make acquisition from the New York Mets
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 19|569 ANSWERS Bo Bichette's reason for leaving the Toronto Blue Jays revealed Did the Toronto Blue Jays make the right call moving on from Bo Bichette, as Buster Olney suggested? | ||
| Right move | 337 | 59.2 % |
| Wrong move | 168 | 29.5 % |
| Needed reset | 38 | 6.7 % |
| Depends return | 26 | 4.6 % |
| List of polls | ||