Bo Bichette is turning into the leader the Blue Jays have needed all along

The energy surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays has been different entering this season. In previous years, their notable offseason acquisition that propelled the Jays to being heavily discussed in the media. George Springer, Kevin Gausman, and Daulton Varsho each joining one year after another, which added to the idea that the Jays were committed to winning. After missing out on Shohei Ohtani earlier this off-season, the Jays have been a lot more passive in their acquisitions, to the chagrin of many fans. The attitude around the club has shifted, but that may be exactly what they need.

Following yet another season that ended in a premature playoff exit, it's become more and more clear that the Blue Jays are missing something to help them grow into perennial postseason contenders. It could be adding a key player into the fold through free agency, or waiting for the emergence of the farm system to create a sustainable line of success for both now and the future. Regardless of the correct way to improve the team, the Jays have needed a voice to rally behind as this core gets older, to establish what exactly this team needs to be going forward. A player who's determined, and likely to enter their prime going forward. Bo Bichette is that voice.

Spring training starts the same every year in baseball. A whole plethora of quotes about players being "in the best shape of their life", their goals for the upcoming season, etc. Bichette decided to have a different approach about the state of the team, after speaking to the press in spring. The focus isn't to have the best team on paper but hold themselves accountable for performing to their best abilities.

Bichette has been vocal about how he and the team are being looked at this season, differing from years prior. Instead of seeing it as a detriment, he sees it as motivation. "It’s definitely a different mindset trying to prove people right than trying to prove people wrong," he said. "I think we’ll see what we’re capable of this year.” There's been an accountability being held by Bichette that has seemed to be missing for the Jays. He knows what both he and his team is capable of, and thinks they have to go out and validate it to the rest of the league before anything else.

When it comes to production, Bichette makes out as one of the Jays' most important contributors. He stays being one of the teams most consistent offensive threats, but has even made significant strides on defense. The shortstop went from -16 DRS in 2022 to +5 DRS in 2023. He takes playing shortstop very seriously, crediting two all time greats in Barry Larkin and Troy Tulowitzki with helping mold him into a better defender, both physically and mentally.

It's been clear for a while that Bichette is a franchise player that a team can build around. The Jays are certainly lucky to be the one's reaping the benefits of this special player both on and off the field. Whether or not an extension is in play, his value to the organization is astronomical, and his growth into a leader of this squad can make a big difference for how they identify going forward.