MLB Insider Expects ‘Many Teams’ to Pursue Bo Bichette

^{The Toronto Blue Jays have not been shy about making bold moves to secure their core. Most notably handing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a record-shattering 14-year, $500 million contract earlier this year. That deal quickly shifted the spotlight to Bo Bichette, the All-Star shortstop now approaching free agency.}

^{Bichette has long been viewed as a candidate for an extension, but talks with Toronto have never materialized into a deal. With his contract set to expire at season’s end, he is expected to be one of the most sought-after names on the market.}

^{Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly recently predicted that the Blue Jays will do everything they can to keep Bichette in Toronto.}

^{“The Blue Jays retained Bichette last offseason when many thought they should blow up their core. He’s rewarded them by rebounding from a disappointing 2024 season and leading the league in hits for a team that looks like a World Series contender,” Kelly wrote. “The Blue Jays have struggled to attract free agents in recent years but remain aggressive spenders, and they will do what it takes to re-sign Bichette.}

^{Still, rival executives expect plenty of competition. Bichette’s age, production, and position make him an ideal target for multiple big-market clubs, setting the stage for a bidding war if Toronto cannot secure his signature before free agency opens.}