Though they aren’t early World Series favorites, the Toronto Blue Jays may hold the keys to the 2025 Major League Baseball season.
If the year goes well, the Blue Jays could be one of the positive stories of the season. They finished in last place in 2024, and with their backs against the wall in an effort to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in free agency, it would be impressive to see them make a playoff push.
However, if the year starts off poorly, the Blue Jays could become the trade deadline sellers with the most coveted pieces on the market. That applies to Guerrero, yes, but also to Toronto’s two-time All-Star shortstop, who will be a free agent in November as well.
Bo Bichette, who is coming off a shocking down year in 2024, will be one of the most sought-after players at the deadline if (1) the Blue Jays get off to a slow start and (2) the 27-year-old proves his .598 OPS in 82 games last year was but a blip on the radar.
On Friday, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer named Bichette as a top-10 “most likely” trade candidate for the 2025 season and brought up an intriguing suitor for the two-time American League hits leader: the Detroit Tigers.
“Bichette says he hasn’t been approached about an extension. Which may be just fine by him, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported in January that Bichette has “no real interest” in staying in Toronto long-term,” Rymer wrote.
“He’ll need to avoid injuries and get back to the player he was between 2021 and 2023, when he was a .300 hitter with 20-homer power. Potential Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers.”
After making it to the postseason in 2024 out of nowhere, the Tigers have higher expectations in 2025, but they may need some help on offense to get where they want to be. Bichette, who has more experience than most of the hitters in Detroit’s lineup, would be a huge upgrade if he’s at or near his peak.
The Blue Jays don’t want to be in a position to trade Bichette, but the better he hits, the better off the team will be regardless of where they are in the standings. It’s not only a make-or-break year for Toronto as a whole, but for Bichette as an individual.
