Now that superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker is off the market, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers’ generational super team on the second-richest-AAV contract in MLB history, how will the Toronto Blue Jays pivot from here?
The short answer is, they don’t necessarily have to respond with an immediate follow-up. This lineup, headlined by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Anthony Santander, Addison Barger and newcomer Kazuma Okamoto, is already talented enough to defend the franchise’s AL crown next season. Since any further additions would cut into the current group’s playing time, the front office must carefully evaluate its next steps.
Having said that, with a player of Bo Bichette’s calibre still available, the Blue Jays may not be finished adding to their position-player group this winter. While other clubs are also involved, notably the Philadelphia Phillies, who reportedly held a video meeting with Bichette’s camp on Monday, a pathway to returning to Toronto likely remains open — at least for now.
The Phillies appear to be the biggest threat to the Blue Jays’ ability to retain the two-time All-Star, who’s reportedly seeking a long-term deal this winter. On top of that, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports the cornerstone infielder has “privately expressed concern” over the physical toll that playing on Rogers Centre’s artificial turf has taken on his body, adding that it could impact his final decision.
Injuries have hindered Bichette’s availability in recent years, limiting him to fewer than 140 games played in each of the past three seasons — including just 81 contests in 2024. Last season’s absence, however, was caused by a fluke home-plate collision at Yankee Stadium back in September, suffering a left knee sprain that sidelined him until Game 1 of the World Series.
That ailment also prompted Toronto’s decision to move him to second base, where he transitioned admirably, especially while playing on just one healthy knee, and is expected to earn the majority of his defensive opportunities moving forward — either with the Blue Jays or another franchise.
If Bichette doesn’t return, he’d no longer be subject to playing 81 home games on artificial turf, although the playing conditions have improved considerably for infielders since the stadium upgraded to an all-dirt infield ahead of the 2016 season. And the physical demands of playing second base versus shortstop are also very different, too.
With free agency, though, money and term are almost always the biggest separators in contract negotiations. So it’s worth keeping that in mind, particularly after Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi hinted that “a big financial gap” may exist between both parties.