As the year comes to a close, Blue Jays Nation is reflecting on the year that was and revisiting some of the top articles from 2024.

For the #5 article in the countdown, we’ll look <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/bo-bichette-would-reportedly-welcome-a-trade-from-the-blue-jays">at an article from Cam Lewis in late-July</a>, seeing how Bo Bichette would “welcome a trade” <a href="tps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2024/07/21/mlb-trade-deadline-rumors-2024/74483407007/">according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale</a>.
<blockquote>Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has told friends that he would welcome a trade, while first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. badly wants to stay in Toronto and is open to signing a long-term extension.</blockquote>
Bichette had a rough season for the Jays in 2024, slashing .225/.277/.322 with four home runs in 336 plate appearances for a 71 wRC+ and a 0.3 WRC+. Across the board, those numbers were career lows and it wasn’t helped as Bichette spent most of the second half of the season on the Injured List with a calf injury.
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Bichette is still a good player despite the tough season. For example, Bichette slashed .306/.339/.475 with 20 home runs in 601 plate appearances for a 124 wRC+ and a 3.9 fWAR in 2023. In 2021, he hit a career-high 29 home runs with a slash line of .298/.343/.484 in 690 plate appearances. His terrific end to the 2022 season helped the Blue Jays secure a postseason spot.
The clock is ticking for the Blue Jays, as Bichette (and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) are entering their final seasons of team control, and after a 74-88 season, this off-season hasn’t inspired much hope they’ll make the postseason in 2025.
<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-the-blue-jays-havent-been-close-to-the-amount-he-wants">Guerrero Jr. said himself</a> that what the Jays have offered is nowhere close to what he wants, and they have until the start of Spring Training to get a deal done. However, he did note that if they meet his demands, he’ll sign on the spot.
Bichette appears to be in a much different spot, as his name has popped up in trade rumours again. Last week, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/report-blue-jays-open-to-trading-bo-bichette-but-only-for-high-price?preview_id=81285&amp;preview_nonce=6152e097d1&amp;post_format=standard&amp;_thumbnail_id=81287&amp;preview=true">The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported</a> that rival executives believe that the Jays are open to moving him, but “only for a high price”.
It’s unclear what the future holds for Bichette, Guerrero Jr,. and the Blue Jays, but if they have any hope of making the postseason in 2025, they’ll need to sign a big bat like Anthony Santander or Pete Alonso.
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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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As the year comes to a close, Blue Jays Nation is reflecting on the year that was and revisiting some of the top articles from 2024.



For the #5 article in the countdown, we’ll look <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/bo-bichette-would-reportedly-welcome-a-trade-from-the-blue-jays">at an article from Cam Lewis in late-July</a>, seeing how Bo Bichette would “welcome a trade” <a href="tps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2024/07/21/mlb-trade-deadline-rumors-2024/74483407007/">according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale</a>.
<blockquote>Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has told friends that he would welcome a trade, while first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. badly wants to stay in Toronto and is open to signing a long-term extension.</blockquote>
Bichette had a rough season for the Jays in 2024, slashing .225/.277/.322 with four home runs in 336 plate appearances for a 71 wRC+ and a 0.3 WRC+. Across the board, those numbers were career lows and it wasn’t helped as Bichette spent most of the second half of the season on the Injured List with a calf injury.
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Bichette is still a good player despite the tough season. For example, Bichette slashed .306/.339/.475 with 20 home runs in 601 plate appearances for a 124 wRC+ and a 3.9 fWAR in 2023. In 2021, he hit a career-high 29 home runs with a slash line of .298/.343/.484 in 690 plate appearances. His terrific end to the 2022 season helped the Blue Jays secure a postseason spot.

The clock is ticking for the Blue Jays, as Bichette (and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) are entering their final seasons of team control, and after a 74-88 season, this off-season hasn’t inspired much hope they’ll make the postseason in 2025.

<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-the-blue-jays-havent-been-close-to-the-amount-he-wants">Guerrero Jr. said himself</a> that what the Jays have offered is nowhere close to what he wants, and they have until the start of Spring Training to get a deal done. However, he did note that if they meet his demands, he’ll sign on the spot.

Bichette appears to be in a much different spot, as his name has popped up in trade rumours again. Last week, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/report-blue-jays-open-to-trading-bo-bichette-but-only-for-high-price?preview_id=81285&amp;preview_nonce=6152e097d1&amp;post_format=standard&amp;_thumbnail_id=81287&amp;preview=true">The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported</a> that rival executives believe that the Jays are open to moving him, but “only for a high price”.

It’s unclear what the future holds for Bichette, Guerrero Jr,. and the Blue Jays, but if they have any hope of making the postseason in 2025, they’ll need to sign a big bat like Anthony Santander or Pete Alonso.

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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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