Are the Blue Jays set up for the long term with their depth up the middle?

The Toronto Blue Jays could be losing one of their home grown stars this offseason. Shortstop Bo Bichette is currently one of the biggest free agents on the market after he and the Blue Jays couldn't find time to sit down and work out a contract extension at any point in the last two or three seasons. As a result Toronto could be looking for a replacement for Bo ahead of the 2026 season.

One alternative is that Andrés Giménez becomes the every day shorstop, which he did during the end of the season and into the playoffs. The other option, long term, is that Toronto has exactly who they need already in their system and they are just biding their time until one of either Arjun Nimmala or JoJo Parker emerges as their next home grown star.

Parker and Nimmala make the cut on Bleacher Report's Top 100 Prospects

Both Nimmala and Parker are in the very early stages of their professional baseball careers. Nimmala is a 20-year-old right handed shortstop and is Toronto's No. 3 prospect and was recently ranked as the No. 57 prospect in baseball according to Bleacher Report. Paker is No. 2 in the Blue Jays' system after being drafted out of high school in the 2025 MLB draft. The 19-year-old ranked No. 53 on the Bleacher Report list.

The Blue Jays likely envision big things for both players, but it could be a few years before either guy emerges as a legitimate option at the big league level. However, both of their paths to the big leagues are potentially blocked as Giménez is locked in to a deal that takes him through the 2030 season and a deal with Bichette this offseason will more than likely be a long-term contract as well.

It's one of the biggest questions facing General Manager Ross Atkins this offseason. Does he spend a ton of cash on a guy who has proven to be one of the best hitters in MLB when healthy? Bichette has produced a wRC+ of 120 or better in each season going back to 2021, outside of his injury riddled 2024 campaign.

Some people will say it's always better to go with the player who you know can produce at the MLB level, rather than relying on unproven prospects. But at this rate there is some some industry consensus on the talent level the Blue Jays have in the pipeline up the middle. Which ever direction the Blue Jays go in it seems as if they are in a pretty good position no matter what they do.

Can they survive without Bichette? They proved over the last month of the season and into the first few rounds of the playoffs that they are at least capable of being competitive without him. However, the thought of Bo leaving while hoping that one day, one of the two guys who are still so young and so raw, can replace his production feels like a reach. But it might be the choice they are left with if they can't bring Bo back.