Blue Jays Bo Bichette Comments On Future In Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays have a stud shortstop in Bo Bichette and management is going to try and do whatever they can to have him in the lineup for the foreseeable future. For now though, contract extension talks are off.

Bichette was open and honest when asked about any contract negotiations, citing the team and his reps have put down the phones and are not talking anymore. A very common scenario for players as many prefer to not have any negotiations ongoing during the season:

Right now we’re focused on the season and accomplishing what we think we’re capable of. Right now, we’re not talking.

Blue Jays management duo of general manager Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro are not worried about the latest stoppage in talks. Bichette is under team control for three more seasons and at this point contract talks are deemed preliminary. While they would love to get their starting shortstop inked to a long-term deal, they know it's not necessarily priority at the moment and are open to being patient. Toronto has very deep pockets and a ton of talent to lock up as Vladimir Guerrero Jr also needs a long-term contract and you bet he and Bichette are both ready for the Brinks truck to be backed up into the Rogers Centre parking lot. According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, Shapiro had this to say regarding locking in his stars:

I understand fans or maybe someone externally might think you need to extend these guys. I felt that way when I was working in Cleveland. I do not feel that way working in Toronto. That’s not to say they won’t try at all, of course. “Those players are both under control for three more seasons (beyond 2022). That is a very long time. During that time, it’s safe to say we will continue both formally and informally to explore extensions with them. Should that not happen, we’re very comfortable that our market gives us the ability to go year to year and pay them year to year. And if they happen to get to free agency, we obviously will be a team that will pursue them in free agency, too.

Look for contract talks to resume after this season and if the Blue Jays are able to reach their potential in 2022, management may be negotiating with a couple of World Series champs.