The Toronto Blue Jays have surpassed expectations in 2025, currently owning a 73–51 record—the best in the American League.
Toronto’s offense has been a force this year averaging 4.9 runs per game, largely due to shortstop Bo Bichette, who’s having a resurgent season after a down year in 2024.
The 27-year-old shortstop has spent his entire seven-year career with the Blue Jays and has been consistently excellent at the top of the order.
Bichette leads MLB with 151 hits entering Sunday and has posted a .295 batting average, .799 OPS, 16 home runs, and 81 RBIs through 121 games.
After a disappointing season in 2024, contract extension talks stalled due to both sides being hesitant to commit long-term, and Bichette is now set to hit free agency at the end of the season.
In an appearance on MLB Network Radio, Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro addressed the situation directly, saying, “It’s always important to educate fans. There’s no contracts that get done in August or September… It’s very possible to still re-sign him, but they need to go out there and understand the opportunities for them in free agency.”
Could there be an extension for Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays before he reaches free agency?#BlueJays | #LightsUpLetsGo
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) August 17, 2025
https://t.co/iXax8hx4iO pic.twitter.com/0j7k1MI2bH
This comes after a report from MLB’s Keegan Matheson, who wrote, “Money always wins, so for now, the Blue Jays have to set themselves up for the tiebreakers. That way, if both the Blue Jays and another team have a $200 million offer on the table this winter, Bichette will be tempted to stay and not be tempted by something new. Right now, I think they’re winning the tiebreakers.”
It will likely cost the Blue Jays if they want to keep Bichette on the roster long-term. He was a huge part of the young core the team brought up together in 2019, and the front office has shown a willingness to spend when necessary—signing Anthony Santander in the offseason and extending Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in April.
With Toronto focused on a return to the postseason, the team will prioritize the playoff push—but all signs point to Bichette testing the free agent market this winter.
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