Bo Bichette's role in Roki Sasaki pursuit creates hope for his Blue Jays future

Missing out on Roki Sasaki was heartbreaking for the Blue Jays, especially since they acquired a defense-first player owed $11 million in order to try to maximize the money they could offer to the Japanese right hander. Waiting on Sasaki's decision prevented them from signing other players, which is a massive negative.

Luckily, in the mix of this event, they may have uncovered some positive signs regarding the future of Bo Bichette in Toronto.

Ben Nicholson-Smith reported that a trio of players traveled back to Toronto to help persuade Sasaki to sign with the Blue Jays. Chad Green and Daulton Varsho made the trip, along with Bichette. Those three coming up trying to sell Toronto is very significant, as it would seem they really care building up the team. Bichette's inclusion, in particular, is a very good sign that he cares a lot about the Blue Jays - more than recent rumors of his resigned evacuation may suggest. After months of the rumor mill claiming the opposite, this represents a strong glimpse of hope towards an extension.

Bo Bichette helping the Blue Jays with the Roki Sasaki chase shows his dedication to team, giving hope of possible extension.

Bichette is coming off the worst season of his career, but there is a lot of hope of him bouncing back. Prior to his 2024 season, Bichette put together three straight seasons with over 20 home runs, a combined fWAR of 13.6, and a wRC+ of 125. Getting consistency out of the shortstop position is what the Blue Jays need, and if Bichette returns to form in 2025, then he is a guy that Toronto needs long term.

Obviously if he declines and does not perform as well as he did previously, then he is not a guy to extend. Bichette is on the last year of his contract and will become a free agent if the Blue Jays do not offer an extension. There is likely interest on Toronto's end, as they held onto him at the 2024 trade deadline.

It will ultimately be up to Bichette if he wants to remain a Blue Jay long term, but his dedication towards trying to recruit Sasaki shows that the team in Toronto means a lot to him. There were previously reports that he has no interest in a long-term contract, but the Sasaki situation definitely signals the opposite. Time will tell what happens, and it would be a positive thing for Toronto to get him locked up, given the history of his career.

Of course, one can't help but notice that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was not present. Hopefully, that's not a signal of the opposite of "hope".