Toronto Blue Jays contract offer to Bo Bichette has gone down significantly
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The Toronto Blue Jays have taken fans on quite a ride in recent seasons, bouncing between playoff contention and underwhelming stretches that have kept their outlook unpredictable.
Shortstop Bo Bichette, a fixture in the organization since being drafted in 2016 and a big-leaguer since 2019, remains without a long-term extension.
Star shortstop Bo Bichette's market value has taken a significant hit this season.
Bichette agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract in 2023 to sidestep arbitration, but with that deal nearing its end, he's now approaching free agency.
Jeremy Trottier from the Toronto Blue Jays On Si writes that talk of a major extension for the star shortstop, along with potential trade rumors, has circulated for years, but nothing has materialized, yet. Following concerns about his performance after last season's injuries, Bichette has bounced back strong in 2025, though one area of his game, his power, has been noticeably lacking.
"That lack of power has led some insiders to start discussing changes in his game, as well as what it means for his market value in free agency." -Trottier
During a recent appearance on Blair & Barker on Sportsnet 590 The FAN, ESPN's Jeff Passan discussed Bo Bichette's current market value.
Here is the full quote from the interview when he was asked if he believed Bichette has lost value since his injury.
"Yes, like, demonstrably. I mean, going into last season, guys, we were talking about Bo Bichette as a $300 million player, like, not even a question, right? Like that's who he is, he plays shortstop and he hits .300 every year and he's gonna reach free agency in his 20s and he's gonna get $300 plus million, it's gonna be Trea Turner.
At this point, I still think he's a $100 million player, but is that even a contract he's gonna sign? Or is he gonna go on like one of those short-term deals laden with opt-outs just to try and maximize that good year that he anticipates having at some point." -Passan
At this point, I still think he's a $100 million player, but is that even a contract he's gonna sign? Or is he gonna go on like one of those short-term deals laden with opt-outs just to try and maximize that good year that he anticipates having at some point." -Passan
Passan went on to emphasize Bichette's declining power as a major concern. The shortstop has managed just two home runs so far in 2025 and only six since the beginning of the 2024 season, a sharp drop-off after three consecutive years of hitting 20 or more homers.
"Now, I don't know if that good year is gonna come around anymore, like we have seen him at points this year hit for average, but we have not seen the power, and that to me was always what made Bo Bichette a special player.
It was the ability at his size to take the ball to the opposite field and over the fence, very very rare quality, especially for a shortstop to have, especially for a guy his height and weight.
But he had it, and that part seems to have more or less disappeared, and without power, he's just an average at best defensive shortstop, who puts up batting average and doesn't walk, and that guy right there, that's not somebody teams are going to be crawling all over themselves to sign." -Passan
It was the ability at his size to take the ball to the opposite field and over the fence, very very rare quality, especially for a shortstop to have, especially for a guy his height and weight.
But he had it, and that part seems to have more or less disappeared, and without power, he's just an average at best defensive shortstop, who puts up batting average and doesn't walk, and that guy right there, that's not somebody teams are going to be crawling all over themselves to sign." -Passan
This critique of the Blue Jays' shortstop feels particularly harsh, especially given his solid batting average. While there's no denying his power numbers have dipped and he has work to do to rebuild his value, the assessment still seems a bit severe.
Ideally, Bichette can round out his game and the Blue Jays can secure an extension before he hits free agency.
Source:
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
MLB Insider Believes Blue Jays Star Has Severely Decreased Market Value
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
MLB Insider Believes Blue Jays Star Has Severely Decreased Market Value
| POLL | ||
MAI 12 | 1461 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays contract offer to Bo Bichette has gone down significantly Do you think Blue Jays' shortstop Bo Bichette will be traded before the deadline this summer? | ||
| yes | 636 | 43.5 % |
| no | 825 | 56.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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