Why this Blue Jay will be the key for a successful season

Bo Bichette's had quite a career with the Blue Jays.

The 26-year-old is a two-time All-Star and has led the American League in hits twice, but he's also coming off the worst year of his career. Now, with Bichette on the cusp of free agency, he seems poised to shake off last year's performance and get back to his peak.

He's now gone on the record and said as much, as he spoke to Sportsnets' Shi Davidi about his focus for the upcoming season.

Bichette ready to go for massive 2025 campaign

If there's one thing that's clear right now, it's that Bichette seems poised to have a big year.

“The biggest thing is I feel like I have a clear mind. I'm able to go out here every day and try and get better, try to win when we play, so I feel good,” Bichette told Davidi.

It makes sense that Bichette would want to put last year behind him, as he finished the year with a slashline of .225/.277/.322 and had to work through two stints on the injured list due to a right calf strain and middle finger fracture.

While the Blue Jays made some big offseason additions (namely signing Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract) inserting a healthy, productive Bichette into the lineup could very well end up being Toronto's biggest offseason addition.

Moreover, Bichette makes Toronto's lineup significantly deeper, and a successful season from him should put Toronto right in the thick of the American League postseason race.

“When you reach a low point like I did last season, you realize that you're still living and breathing and everything's OK, so, honestly, I feel like myself again,” Bichette told Davidi. “The biggest thing is I feel like I have a clear mind. I'm able to go out here every day and try and get better, try to win when we play, so I feel good.”

Bichette said that his finger injury forced him to take some time and relax, and that he's playing with a "free mind" this year.

If Bichette performs well, things will also be easier for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Santander, who should be sandwiched in or around Bichette at the top of Toronto's lineup. That power at the top of the lineup should lead to the Blue Jays having a solid offense, which would be a sight for sore eyes.

Bichette also said that he's gotten better at blocking out outside noise, which will be extremely crucial this year as he enters his walk year.

There were things going on about me that I probably didn't handle the best in terms of rumors and things like that," Bichette told Davidi. "I've learned from that. This year, I really am just focused on being the best that I can be and winning every day."

It's no secret that Bichette is a key member of the Blue Jays. After his injury-marred 2024 season, it seems like everyone in baseball has forgotten just how dangerous Bichette can be. A bounce-back season from him will provide the Jays with a much-needed offensive boost.