Blue Jays Central has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Blue Jays or MLB
MLB insider reveals why free agent Bo Bichette is still unsigned
Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays have had a great offseason so far, but it could get even better.
Toronto struck early by signing both Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce.
The Blue Jays are coming off a World Series appearance and have been busy in an attempt to make another deep run in 2026.
MLB Insider Jeff Passan reveals why Bo Bichette remains unsigned
Bo Bichette, along with the other top free agents still left on the market, isn't signing their free agent deals yet because the contract offers from teams aren't near their desired values.
"Same as what's going on with Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman and Cody Bellinger: What they believe they're worth has not been matched by teams," Passan wrote when specifically asked about Bichette. "At this point, it's reasonable to think at least one will slip between the cracks and go for a shorter-term, opt-out-heavy deal we've seen work for Pete Alonso, Matt Chapman, and, for pitchers, Blake Snell. If that sort of deal would work for anyone, it might be Bichette, who could have a big year, show he's healthy, and hit the market again at 28 years old."
Bo Bichette enters free agency with a 2025 PAP of 5.30.
PAP reflects the intersection of production and payroll efficiency.
A projected Blue Jays re-sign (~8 yrs / $176M) would price that production at ~5.0 (market-neutral).
PAP reflects the intersection of production and payroll efficiency.
A projected Blue Jays re-sign (~8 yrs / $176M) would price that production at ~5.0 (market-neutral).
Free agents seeking longer term deals than teams are comfortable with
Most of these free agents are seeking long-term deals, but teams aren't showing a willingness to do so this offseason.
But, one of these top free agents could sign a short-term, higher AAV deal instead of a long-term one, and re-enter free agency next offseason with further proof from a strong 2026 season.
There's obviously some risk involved, as a down 2026 season could spell doom for their odds of signing a lofty new deal.
But Pete Alonso's success from last offseason might pave the way for one of these free agents to follow a similar path.
And Passan named Bichette as the one he could see as the most likely to take a short-term deal. "If that sort of a deal would work for anyone," Passan writes, "it might be Bichette."
"We will be in his market." Ross Atkins on Bo Bichette.
While a potential lockout could throw things for a loop, for now, Bichette's best bet might be taking the short-term, prove-it deal.
Bichette remains one of the most intriguing free agents available. He's just 27 years old and is coming off a season where he slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 1 | 215 ANSWERS MLB insider reveals why free agent Bo Bichette is still unsigned Will the Blue Jays eventually sign Bo Bichette? | ||
| Yes | 151 | 70.2 % |
| No | 41 | 19.1 % |
| Too early to tell | 23 | 10.7 % |
| List of polls | ||