There’s something uniquely unsettling about silence where sound once roared. For the Toronto Blue Jays, that silence is coming from shortstop. And in particular, it’s the absence of one Bo Bichette, a player whose swagger, bat speed, and steely eyes at the plate have become synonymous with the modern Blue Jays era. Yet as the dust settles from a flurry of offseason activity, Bichette remains conspicuously unsigned. The face of a franchise now lingers in free agency limbo.
Toronto has been anything but quiet this offseason. They’ve bolstered the rotation with the additions of Cody Ponce and Dylan Cease, a strategic double-down on power arms after last season’s crushing postseason exit. They’ve added Tyler Rogers, a submariner with a rubber arm and a penchant for late-inning escapes. The club is clearly serious about pitching. But they haven’t answered one glaring question: who’s playing shortstop?
A Bat That Belongs in October
The void left by Bichette isn’t merely statistical. It’s emotional. It’s symbolic. And it’s strategic.
Let’s not sugarcoat it, Bichette delivered in 2025. After injuries derailed his 2024 campaign, he roared back in his walk year with a .311 average, 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and a consistent presence that was felt in every single one of his 628 plate appearances. This wasn’t just a bounce-back season. It was a statement. He is, by every metric and scouting report, the best shortstop on the open market, and quite possibly the best overall free agent still available.
A Position in Flux, But a Role That’s Clear
So why the hesitation?
Part of the answer may lie in his glove. Bichette has been serviceable at shortstop, but not elite. Reports now suggest several teams view him as a better fit at second base, or even third. While he showed flexibility in the World Series (briefly slotting in at second), neither position has been part of his regular professional résumé. The learning curve would be steep. The risk is real.
But so is the reward.
Offensively, Bichette is a game-changer. He combines elite contact rates with gap-to-gap power that fuels rallies and changes momentum. His presence in the heart of any lineup would be felt immediately. For the Blue Jays, bringing him back would do more than plug a hole in the infield; it would signal to fans, players, and the entire league that this team is not content with “almost.” That they’re not satisfied with falling just inches short in 2025.
Unfinished Business with the Blue Jays
Re-signing Bichette would be a declaration: the chase for a championship isn’t over. It’s personal now. And they’re bringing the band back together to finish what they started.
Time is ticking. The Jays have made their moves. Now all eyes turn to the one they haven’t made yet.
