Toronto Blue Jays announce update regarding Bo Bichette contract negotiations
Photo credit: USA Today
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette may be forced to rethink his asking price on his next contract as he continues to have a poor output of offense by his standards.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Bichette may have lost his opportunity to land a contract around $300 million after having great back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022 to be cut down by injuries and a substandard year in 2023 and 2024.
Bichette still having slow start after great Spring Training
«Two years ago, Bichette looked like a lock for $300 million,» Passan wrote Tuesday. «A brutal 2024 soured his stock, and while his average has climbed early this season, the power he showed in three consecutive 20-plus-homer seasons remains AWOL.
Because he'll be a 28-year-old shortstop, Bichette can get nine figures. He also could opt for a short-term deal with opt-outs to maximize his opportunities to hit the market after a strong season.» - Jeff Passan
Because he'll be a 28-year-old shortstop, Bichette can get nine figures. He also could opt for a short-term deal with opt-outs to maximize his opportunities to hit the market after a strong season.» - Jeff Passan
Many pundits in Major League Baseball and fans around the Blue Jays felt that Bichette would show a great start to his season after he had a head turning spring training which showed a rejuvenated bichette ready to take on the new season.
With the first quarter of the season coming to an end, Bichette along with many of his teammates including Anthony Santander and Vladimir Guerrero junior are having major struggles in the batter's box which has caused the Blue Jays to sag and slip in the standings, where they now sit third in the American League East with four games behind the Yankees.
Much will depend on what will happen to the Blue Jays this year when it comes to playoffs and the fate of Bichette as many feel the team may dangle him at the July trade deadline if a deal cannot be struck between now and then.
Blue Jays would receive a great return for Bichette
Most fans do not want to see a trade occur as Bichette is beloved by most Blue Jays fans and feel that he is one of the faces of the franchise.
If the Blue Jays are out of contention, the business of baseball will likely see Bichette moved to a team as a mid season rental where the Jays can recuperate some assets that can help bolster their farm system.
They may potentially add another player to the roster who could be with the team for years to come.
Edward Eng of the Jays Journal also feels similar about a potential trade of Bichette.
«Two years ago, Bichette looked like a lock for $300 million,» Passan wrote Tuesday. «A brutal 2024 soured his stock, and while his average has climbed early this season, the power he showed in three consecutive 20-plus-homer seasons remains AWOL.
Because he'll be a 28-year-old shortstop, Bichette can get nine figures. He also could opt for a short-term deal with opt-outs to maximize his opportunities to hit the market after a strong season.» - Edward Eng
Because he'll be a 28-year-old shortstop, Bichette can get nine figures. He also could opt for a short-term deal with opt-outs to maximize his opportunities to hit the market after a strong season.» - Edward Eng
However, there is still plenty of season remaining and much can happen between now and the end of September when it comes to the trade deadline, potential firings of executives or managers or even better yet the team turning around and becoming the team they should be considering they are the third highest payroll in Major League Baseball.
The Blue Jays are currently underachieving and perhaps Bichette could help lead the charge and help lift the teams offense and help win more baseball games.
Last evening, the Blue Jays won 6-3 against the Seattle Mariners and are currently in the midst of a series before heading back to Toronto.
| POLL | ||
MAI 10 | 1865 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays announce update regarding Bo Bichette contract negotiations Do you think the Blue Jays will sign or trade Bo Bichette if the team is out of playoff contention? | ||
| Sign him | 758 | 40.6 % |
| trade him | 1107 | 59.4 % |
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