Toronto Blue Jays make acquisition from the New York Mets

The gut punch is still real, because Bichette is officially headed to the New York Mets. Multiple reports pegged it as three years and $126 million, the kind of pivot move New York made after missing bigger fish.

This acquisition does pour a little cold water on the heartbreak by pointing out the obvious, Toronto at least gets something back. That «something» is not a player, but it is not nothing either.

Because the Blue Jays tendered Bichette a qualifying offer and he declined it, MLB's rules kick in once he signs elsewhere. Toronto will receive a 2026 Draft pick after the fourth round, and that's the official receipt for losing a franchise shortstop.

The Mets also pay a real price for shopping in that aisle. MLB.com reported New York will forfeit its second- and fifth-round picks this summer, plus $1 million in international bonus pool money, which is a meaningful tax on a big-market impulse buy.

None of that replaces Bichette's bat, and that's the part that matters in April. He played 139 games in 2025 and hit .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers, 94 RBIs, and 181 hits, production that powered a first-place season.

The practical upside for Toronto is flexibility.

That comp pick becomes another dart for a front office that will need cheap talent around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the payroll climbs and expectations stay loud.

My take is fans should still be mad, but they should not dismiss the pick outright.

Drafting is messy, yet one extra swing can turn into a reliever, a trade chip, or even the next everyday guy if scouting nails it.

Now, the Blue Jays have to spend that «after the fourth round» pick, and whether they use it to restock quickly or package it in the next win-now deal.