The Toronto Blue Jays and Bo Bichette are now officially on the clock.
One of the most beloved players in recent team memory, Bichette appears set to hit free agency for the first time in his career.
On Thursday, the Jays formally extended a standard qualifying offer to Bichette, though it’s widely been reported he’s expected to decline that offer and test out free agency.
Why would Bichette turn down the Blue Jays’ offer?
For starters, it’s a simple numbers game: Bichette’s qualifying offer comes in at $22 million valuation for just one season, a number lower than his expected annual salary on any multi-year deal.
It has nothing to do with his willingness to play in Toronto — which he’s said on the record many times — but rather about his intent to sign a long-term deal in free agency, whether in Toronto or elsewhere.
Free agency is officially open as of 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 6.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel projects a deal of five years, $130 million, less than one-third of the $500-million deal that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed with Toronto earlier this year. Meanwhile, NBC Sports’ Matthew Pouliot projects a contract worth eight years and $216 million for Bichette.
Every major report so far has kept the Blue Jays as a major player for Bichette’s services, with betting markets including FanDuel considering him a favourite to return to Toronto.
It’ll be a gargantuan sum no matter where he ends up signing, but perhaps not exactly record-setting in the context of baseball contracts.
What’s next for Bichette and the Blue Jays?
Toronto’s front office met the media today for their end-of-season availabilities, with Bichette being among the most significant talking points.
“He’s been important. We will be in his market. As it speaks to the timing of the negotiation [during the season] – or lack thereof – really is coming from the respect of his right to get to free agency,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said today.
Toronto president Mark Shapiro also spoke of Bichette’s desire to play in the World Series after missing the first two postseason rounds with an injury.
“His ability and toughness… and his ability to provide some of the most important lift… was only the exclamation point on an unbelievable [tenure with the Blue Jays],” Shapiro said.
In any case, we’ll get an answer in the next few weeks about whether he’ll be returning to Toronto for next season, or if he’ll have to find a new home.
Lead photo by
John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images
