Buster Olney on Blue Jays, Bo Bichette: 'Both sides were ready to move on'
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
ESPN's Buster Olney joined First Up to discuss the long relationship between the Toronto Blue Jays, Bo Bichette, and how both sides were ready to move on.
Two of Major League Baseball's premier free agents came off the board late last week, as Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette finalized lucrative contracts.
Tucker agreed to a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers on Thursday, setting a new MLB record for average annual value.
One day later, former Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets.
Toronto was widely linked to both players during the offseason but failed to land either as the club looks to build on its 2025 World Series appearance.
MLB insider Buster Olney indicates that despite the long relationship between the Blue Jays and Bichette, both sides were ready to move on.
«I think the horses went out the barn door,» Olney said on the possibility of the Jays re-signing Bichette after missing out on Tucker. «And in fact, I've heard that folks who attended Bo Bichette's wedding walked away from that saying, 'Yeah, his time with the Jays is over.' It just felt like both sides were ready to move on.»
Bichette spent seven seasons with Toronto, posting a .294 batting average with 111 home runs and 437 RBIs across 748 games.
A two-time All-Star, he also led the American League in hits on two occasions.
While Olney says Toronto could pivot to Cody Bellinger, he also said he would not be surprised if the Blue Jays head into Spring Training with the roster they have now.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Toronto Star explains negotiations between Toronto Blue Jays, Bo Bichette
Toronto Star explains negotiations between Toronto Blue Jays, Bo Bichette
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JANVIER 19|147 ANSWERS Buster Olney on Blue Jays, Bo Bichette: 'Both sides were ready to move on' Do you agree with Buster Olney's take that the Toronto Blue Jays and Bo Bichette were both ready to move on? | ||
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