Jeff Passan makes bold predictions about two Blue Jays impending free agents

While the Toronto Blue Jays have set themselves up in a very good position to have their season extend beyond 162 games, some teams are already making their offseason plans. That's now sparking some early offseason predictions from MLB insiders, including Jeff Passan. In a recent article for ESPN, Passan laid out some of those predicitions which included some hot takes about two impending Blue Jays free agents.

Starting with Blue Jays deadline acquisition Shane Bieber, Passan listed him as a player who will certainly opt-out of his current contract. Passan listed all the players who do have opt-outs and made his prediction on whether they would or wouldn't opt-out.

Jeff Passan makes bold predictions about two Blue Jays impending free agents

Passan says, "Being traded to Toronto allowed Bieber a hall pass from the qualifying offer, which is enough to take his $4 million buyout and turn down a $16 million option -- provided he remains healthy for the rest of the season."

Through his first three starts, Bieber has looked great. Outside of a rough second inning against the Reds in Cincinnati earlier this week, Bieber has pretty much cruised through his first 17 innings as a Blue Jay. He has 21 strikeouts, a 2.74 FIP and a 10.9 SO/9, with just two walks allowed. The 30-year-old Bieber should be one of the top arms on the market this season if he keeps this up deep into October.

The second player Passan brings up is Bo Bichette and Passan asks how will the industry value Toronto's star shortstop. Passan says that "the real Bo Bichette has returned" after last year's uncharacteristic season. He points out that his stats, both career wise and 2025 season wise would place him right between Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals and Trea Turner of the Phillies.

He says what will hurt Bichette's value this season is the fact that he is having one of the worst defensive seasons by a shortstop. Passan says, "Considering top shortstops tend to get more than $250 million in free agency, position -- and the ability to stay at a premium one -- can be the difference between joining that echelon and falling short."

Passan says Bichette's age and the fact that teams could sign him and move him to third would all work in his favour. He adds, Turner got $300 million and Bogaerts for $280 million and both were two years older than Bichette will be when they hit free agency. Even if teams don't love his defensive skills, Toronto will no doubt have a ton of competition this winter for Bichette's services.