The Toronto Blue Jays made a franchise-altering move late Sunday night, signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a massive 14-year, $500 million contract that likely keeps the slugging first baseman in Toronto for his entire career.
This deal comes after the Blue Jays initially missed Guerrero’s mid-February extension deadline, when it seemed he was headed for free agency next winter. Now he’s staying put as the cornerstone of the franchise.
But Guerrero’s mega-deal appears to signal the end of another Blue Jays star’s time in Toronto. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, shortstop Bo Bichette is likely headed elsewhere after 2025.
“Bo Bichette, Guerrero’s longtime teammate, could thrust himself into free-agent prominence if he can bounce back from a miserable 2024 campaign, though it seems unlikely that he will remain in Toronto either way,” Feinsand reported.
That makes 2025 a pivotal year for the Blue Jays. It’s probably the final season we’ll see Guerrero and Bichette together, as the front office has clearly made its choice about which homegrown star to build around long-term.
Bichette, 27, has been a cornerstone player since debuting in 2019. The two-time All-Star hasn’t homered yet this season but is hitting .286 with four RBI and a .348 on-base percentage. He’s been an essential piece of Toronto’s core during their competitive window.
The son of MLB legend Dante Bichette, Bo was Toronto’s second-round pick in 2016. He quickly developed into one of the game’s most consistent hitters, leading the American League in hits in both 2021 and 2022.
It’ll be fascinating to see what kind of market develops for Bichette this winter. A strong 2025 campaign could position him as one of the top free agents available. But one thing seems increasingly clear – his days north of the border are numbered.
