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Bo Bichette could have just three games left in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform, in theory. Nearly a decade after he was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2016 second round, Bichette will hit free agency for the first time this winter. He’s hoping to accomplish his long-stated goal of winning a World Series alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. first, but one can’t deny that Bichette’s fit in Toronto is complicated after this year. A two-time major league hits leader who could have easily added a third if he hadn’t injured his knee in September, Bichette is bound to receive a lot of interest for his offensive contributions. But with his future as a shortstop in serious doubt, it’s hard to say how much the open market will dictate the two-time All-Star is worth. TORONTO, ONTARIO – OCTOBER 20: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks across the field before game seven of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners at the Rogers Centre on October 20, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) If one insider’s latest projection is correct, however, the Blue Jays will need to think long and hard about meeting the market value for their longtime starter at shortstop — who notably hasn’t been their shortstop in the biggest games of the year. On Monday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic projected a seven-year, $189 million contract for Bichette in free agency this winter, listing nine teams, including the Blue Jays, as potential suitors. “(Bichette is) a below-average defender at shortstop … and several interested teams view him as an option for third base going forward,” wrote Bowden. “His prime years have just begun and he’s one of the youngest free agents on the market, though he has dealt with several lower body injuries the past couple of years. “As long as teams have a clear sense of the health of his knee, Bichette will have plenty of suitors in free agency because he could be considered a fit as a shortstop, a third baseman or a second baseman.” It’s not that the Blue Jays can’t afford to pay Bichette, in a manner of speaking, because a team with the financial backing of Rogers Communications can afford just about anyone in theory. But Toronto will likely be over the projected luxury tax threshold even without Bichette for several years to come, and there’s also some uncertainty about how the next collective bargaining agreement will affect teams with high payrolls. There’s a case to be made that this postseason has proven the Blue Jays will be just fine without Bichette at shortstop, and committing to Guerrero for $500 million in April may have been the sign that it was unlikely Bichette would stay in Toronto all along. More MLB: Blue Jays Leaders Drop Yoshinobu Yamamoto Message After Game 2 Masterpiece
