Bo Bichette of the Blue Jays has decided on his $22 million contract.

Billy Heyen

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Blue Jays' Bo Bichette makes $22 million contract decision image

TL;DR

  • Bo Bichette rejected the Toronto Blue Jays' $22 million qualifying offer, entering free agency.
  • He is expected to secure a contract potentially worth around $200 million in total value.
  • Bichette's strong 2025 season, including a World Series home run, positions him for a significant payday.
  • The Blue Jays are eager to re-sign Bichette, who progressed with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the farm system.

It was a matter of procedure that the Toronto Blue Jays extended Bo Bichette a one-year qualifying offer worth $22 million.

The shortstop rejected that offer on Tuesday, as expected. He will enter fully into free agency, where he could wind up with a contract in the ballpark of $200 million in total value.

Bichette was among nine prominent players who turned down the qualifying offer, a group that also included Dylan Cease, Edwin Diaz, Zac Gallen, Michael King, Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suarez, Kyle Tucker, and Framber Valdez.

The four to accept were Trent Grisham, Brandon Woodruff, Gleyber Torres and Shota Imanaga.

Bichette had a huge 2025 that sets him up for a big payday.

In an article published Tuesday morning, ESPN's Jeff Passan explained why Bichette is expected to receive a substantial contract.

"Bichette made himself upward of nine figures with an excellent 2025, in which he hit.311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs," Passan writes. "A knee injury kept him out for most of the postseason, but he returned for the World Series and hit.348/.444/.478 with a mammoth Game 7 home run."

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The Blue Jays are eager to re-sign Bichette. He progressed through the farm system alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who secured a substantial $500 million deal in April. It would be beneficial for Toronto to retain this pair.

Numerous other clubs will contact Bichette, with some seeking him at shortstop and others for different infield positions. Regardless, Bichette's offensive capabilities are expected to remain strong for an extended period.

His free agency saga is just getting underway.

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Editorial Team