Toronto Star explains negotiations between Toronto Blue Jays, Bo Bichette
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Toronto Star columnist Mike Wilner discusses where extension talks may have gone wrong between the Toronto Blue Jays and Bo Bichette.
Toronto Star columnist Mike Wilner went on the Foul Territory Podcast and explained why the two sides couldn't agree to a deal before this offseason
As it pertains to a potential extension or new contract with Bichette, it seemed to be a matter of unfortunate circumstances and poor timing between the two sides, per Wilner.
"Put me back in 2019 and I'm signing Bo and (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies contracts that's for sure," Toronto Star columnist Mike Wilner said on the Foul Territory podcast Jan. 16.
"As for the most recent extension talks, if it rubbed Bo the wrong way then he's got to look at himself, and I don't think it did" said Wilner.
Coming off a year like Bo had in 2024, after he missed half the season hurt, hit .225 and had the worst year of his career, there's no way to sign him for an extension.
"If the Blue Jays made an offer there, it would have been way short of what Bo wanted and rightfully so" as per Wilner.
If Bo had come in with his number it would have been crazy-high coming off the injuries and the year.
"As far as an extension last winter, there was just no number that would have been remotely close for both sides."
@Wilnerness talks about the relationship between Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays, and if an extension could have been figured out before this offseason.
@Wilnerness talks about the relationship between Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays, and if an extension could have been figured out before this offseason.
Blue Jays opted to hold out on extension talks with Bichette during the 2025 season
Wilner did say that Toronto could have begun negotiations at the All-Star break this past year when it became clear that Bichette was back to his typical form.
But whether it was due to the Blue Jays having an eye toward the upcoming free agent class, or being overtly cautious, Toronto opted to hold out.
Throughout his career with the Blue Jays, the shortstop slashed .294/.337/.469 and hit 111 home runs in 748 games, which translated to 20.0 WAR in total.
Bichette was one of the most valuable hitters on the Blue Jays' roster.
According to MLB.com, Bichette ranks fourth in BA (.294), 10th in OPS (.806), 15th in RBIs (437), 16th in hits (904) and 22nd in home runs (111) among all Blue Jays' players since 1977.
Romantically, Blue Jays fans wanted Bichette back in Toronto.
He's been 1-2 on the Blue Jays popularity hit list for all of this decade.
He's one of the great home-produced talents in franchise history.
It's never easy to say goodbye to a talent such as this, not for fans who grasp on to such belief with emotion.
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JANVIER 18|95 ANSWERS Toronto Star explains negotiations between Toronto Blue Jays, Bo Bichette Do you agree with Mike Wilner's take on the negotiations between the Toronto Blue Jays and Bo Bichette? | ||
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| No | 28 | 29.5 % |
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