Toronto Blue Jays lose Bo Bichette as he signs new contract

Sources familiar with the situation state the Mets and Bichette are in agreement on terms, ending Toronto's long pursuit of its own homegrown slugger.

Bichette's free agency chase was always going to be the offseason's marquee storyline.

The 27-year-old has been one of the most consistent hitters of his generation, slashing .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs in 2025, and leading the majors in hits - a profile most teams would kill for at any cost.

Toronto never lacked heart in this pursuit. Bichette openly stated he wanted to finish his career in Toronto, and the front office repeatedly said they were «in his market.» Owner Edward Rogers even went on record recently expressing hope that Bichette would stay home.

The Mets have been connected to Bichette for weeks, and with their deep pockets and cratered 2025 performance, Queens was one of the obvious suitors. At 27, Bichette gives New York an immediate middle-of-the-order bat, and the lineup now already features Juan Soto - a superstar who anchors their offense.

From a fan perspective, this feels like deja vu. Every offseason it seems the Blue Jays get close - whether to Kyle Tucker or now Bichette - but the final signature happens elsewhere.

Bichette's defensive struggles and recent injury history may have made Toronto cautious on a long-term, big-ticket offer, especially as they balance payroll with other priorities like Dylan Cease's deal.  But declining to lock him in now - and watching him land with a division rival - leaves a bitter aftertaste.

On the baseball side, the Jays lose not just a bat but a leader. Bichette was a multi-time All-Star and a cornerstone of the lineup for years, one who elevated others around him.

Replacing that production with internal options or cost-controlled free agents is never easy. Toronto now must pivot its offseason strategy again, and quickly, because the chase for a World Series title feels much steeper without its homegrown heart.