The Blue Jays are all set to look different this time next year! Leaving behind their last-place debacle last year, the team is on the verge of losing their two All-Star players—Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette! The Blue Jays’s failure to get their qualifying offer to work with Guerrero, and no such offer for Bichette, indicates their inclination to free agency. Well, the insiders are urging the team to get their course correct.

The 2024 debacle will haunt the team back if this talent drain continues. MLB insider Jim Bowden highlighted the same, about how the Blue Jays can afford to lose both of their top stars. Even if both the stars cannot be retained, why not one at least? Both Bichette and Guerrero are fan favorites, and the Blue Jays must decide whether to trade their All-Stars for rebuilding pieces or risk facing fan backlash if they walk away for nothing. 

Bo Bichette is too good to lose 

While Bo Bichette is a terrific value addition for the Blue Jays, losing Guerrero makes him irreplaceable for the team. Why? The numbers Bichette posted since his debut with the Blue Jays! 93 homers and 343 RBIs with a BA of .290 is what defines Bichette, who led the American League in both 2021 and 2022 with 191 and 189 hits, respectively. He took the least number of games for 500th Hits. Yes, a calf injury hampered his performance last year, with nothing much to contribute to the team. However, Bowden is not in favor of evaluating Bichettte based on last year but based on the type of player he is.

“I wouldn’t be afraid to pay him for the player I think he is, rather than the player he was last year,” said Bowden in a podcast with SportsNet. The last year was an exception for Bo Bichette, and an injury-ridden year should not be the yardstick to judge. Reportedly, once Bichette hits free agency, the Tigers would be the first to offer him the same deal as Bregman’s—a 6-year signing worth $171 million. Hence, even if the Blue Jays can afford to lose out on Guerrero, losing Bichette will make things worse for them. However, there are no reports of any qualifying offers for Bichette. 

Where are the Blue Jays heading to?

The primary objective of the Blue Jays, over Guerrero and Bichette, is to get Alex Bregman, which is lost now. Now, the future of Bo Bichette with the Jays all depends on Guerrero. Reportedly, the team is all eyes on Guerrero, and if they fail to retain him, Bichette will have the chance. However, what if Guerrero gets retained? Bichette will then most likely be traded. Thus, chances are low that both the marquees will play again post-2025. Trading Bichette makes sense for the Jays because it will offer a financial scope to accommodate Guerrero! Well, nothing concrete yet.

Bo Bichette will also benefit from the trade, considering he deserves a better-contending team next year. While the Tigers are the frontrunners here to get Bichette, he is all set to generate more attention from free agency. Losing out on both Guerrero and Bichette is the worst that can happen for the Jays, and expectations will be low that they can turn the tide this year. Yes, with having both of these marquees, the Jays are yet to get a ring, but making no big noises this offseason, the team already has a dearth of big brands! 

Bo Bichette is all set to start this season with a bang, getting over his terrible last year. It’s now on the Jays to retain either of their two marquee players post-2025. What do you think about Bichette’s chance with the Jays? Share your thoughts with us below.