Ross Atkins struck a hopeful tone when talking about Bo Bichette

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s extension with the Toronto Blue Jays means that the team can focus on plenty of other things, perhaps none bigger than a potential extension for Bo Bichette.

Guerrero's big contract makes him the highest-paid player on the team, but Bichette is next in line for an extension with a solid annual average value (AAV) that reflects his upside as an offensive prowess.

Ross Atkins struck a hopeful tone when talking about Bo Bichette

According to Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins, the future of the Blue Jays organization needs its two stars in it.

"It's also our vision for them to continue to play together," Atkins said in a press conference announcing Guerrero's extension. "We will do everything in our power to see if we can line [them] up."

While there have been some rumblings that Bichette doesn't have any interest in staying in Toronto, Atkins taking a positive stance about the talks publicly bodes well for a possible Bichette extension. That said, Bichette still needs to prove that he's worth the kind of contract he's seeking.

After an injury-plagued 2024, Bichette's hitting .288 through through 14 games, and has already tallied eight RBI despite not having a home run on the year.

If he can remain off the shelf, work on his defense, and put up rebound numbers this season, he will be in a good position for an extension. A seven-to-10-year deal in the range of $25 to $35 million a year is fair for the Blue Jays' shortstop.

He proved he can be a high-level hitter in 2021 and 2022 when he led the American league in hits, so at this point it's just a matter of him continuing to prove the rest of MLB that last year wasn't a fluke.

Bichette is also only 27, so a long-term deal would control him through most of his prime. The Jays value homegrown talent, and Bichette obviously fits into that category.

When asked about a potentioal extension, Bichette also struck a hopeful turn.

"[Being with one organization] has been my goal since I was a kid, and building a winning culture with Vladdy" he said, per Sportsnet's Hazel Mae. "But nothing's on the table right now."

Bichette has already spent six seasons with the Blue Jays, and it seems like his desire to stay with the team for the rest of his career is genuine. While Bichette hasn't received any offers from the Blue Jays, the recent response from Atkins signals that one could be on the way.

Bichette and Vladdy have also known each other since their minor league days and are close friends. The Blue Jays have an opportunity to keep them together for the rest of their major league careers, and they should take advantage of it.