Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

What Does Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Extension Mean for Bo Bichette?

Is Bo Bichette halfway out the door?

Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

The Blue Jays’ 2025 season has already produced one major win that eluded them all winter. After failing to sign Juan Soto, missing out on Roki Sasaki, and seeing their biggest offseason acquisition Max Scherzer land on the IL, Toronto Blue Jays finally delivered some positive news by securing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year extension.

Now that the organization has committed to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as their franchise cornerstone, attention shifts to shortstop Bo Bichette, who faces free agency after the 2025 season. The Blue Jays have demonstrated their willingness to spend, but questions remain about whether they have the same commitment to Bichette, and whether he wants to stay in Toronto.

ALSO READ: How Much Did Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gain by Waiting on His Extension?

The impact of the Vladdy deal on Bo Bichette could be more significant than initially apparent, given that Guerrero is widely considered the more valuable asset. Since they’re close friends, there’s speculation that discussions about a potential extension for Bichette may have been part of Guerrero’s negotiations in order to build a stronger core. This megadeal also signals Toronto’s willingness to lock down their homegrown talent, helping establish clear franchise faces for marketing and fan connection. Having already demonstrated financial commitment with Vladdy, securing Bichette would be the logical next step in building a young sustainable core with two leaders.

Industry insiders have sent mixed signals about Bichette’s future though. Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently reported that “Bichette is destined for free agency”, and is “likely to leave,” suggesting the shortstop’s days in a Blue Jays uniform may be numbered. This aligns with rumors from last season when USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Bichette “has told friends that he would welcome a trade.”

Vladdy and Bo Bichette are very good friends

The relationship between Vladdy and Bichette extends back to their minor league days, with both players making their MLB debuts in 2019. The two infielders are really good friends too.

“Vladdy is one of my best friends,” Bichette said in February, according to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “We’ve talked about playing together forever since he was 18 and I was 19. That’s still a goal of ours.”

Bichette has established himself as one of baseball’s premier offensive shortstops, earning two All-Star appearances. However, injuries hampered his 2024 performance. With Guerrero now secured long-term, Blue Jays fans are left wondering whether the team will make a similar commitment to Bichette or if the shortstop will seek opportunities elsewhere.

Blue Jays

Bo Bichette

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.