MLB Trade Rumors' free agency predictions will calm Blue Jays fans' biggest fear

It would be a real shame if Bo Bichette's third-inning home run in Game 7 of the World Series proves to be his final shining moment in a Toronto Blue Jays Jersey after the team fell just short of winning it all.

The longtime Blue Jays shortstop is now a free agent, and after a brilliant bounce-back campaign in 2025, he's due to strike it rich on the open market. The shortstop hit .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs, supplying 3.8 fWAR and a 134 wRC+ to the lineup.

His defense remains a serious question mark — he accrued -13 Outs Above Average and -12 Defensive Runs Saved this season — but a move to second base in the World Series could portend a long-term change that benefits his glove.

In all, he'll be one of the most sought-after players in free agency, which could make it difficult for Toronto to retain him. However, if MLB Trade Rumors' latest expert predictions are to be believed, there may be nothing to worry about on the Bichette front.

Bo Bichette unanimously expected to return to Blue Jays in free agency by MLB Trade Rumors experts

In their annual Top 50 free agent predictions piece, all four of MLBTR's experts (Steve Adams, Anthony Franco, Darragh McDonald, and Tim Dierkes) peg Toronto as the most likely landing spot for Bichette.

Though they mention other suitors like the Tigers, Giants, Braves, Angels, and Dodgers, the consensus appears to be that the Jays will do whatever it takes to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s co-star in town. That's a breath of fresh air considering how important Bichette was to the team's success in 2025, and the fact that he's arguably the second-best available player this offseason besides Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Perhaps the bigger concern here is the actual contract MLBTR's experts predict Bichette will command: $208 million over eight years. If he signs in that range with Toronto, that would mean the franchise would owe its two superstars (him and Guerrero) more than $700 million combined over the lives of their respective contracts.

That's a disproportionate amount of money to have invested in just two players, but it helps that both are firmly in their primes (Bichette is 27 and Guerrero is 26) and are the faces of the franchise. That they just piloted the Blue Jays to a World Series appearance surely doesn't hurt matters.

It helps that the Blue Jays slapped Bichette with the qualifying offer, which should dampen his market a bit as other teams weigh the balance of giving up draft picks in order to secure Bichette's services. He's talented enough that it shouldn't prevent him from reaching the $200 million threshold, but the QO could keep his overall total to a relatively reasonable level.

Of course, these predictions are just that: predictions. there's no guarantee that another team won't come in with a godfather offer and lure Bichette out of Canada. But, here at the outset of the offseason, it appears that the Blue Jays have a good chance to keep the band together.