Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider is undecided on where shortstop Bo Bichette will hit in the lineup this year, but the skipper mentioned both the leadoff and cleanup spots as possibilities. "2,3 Vlad and Tony (Santander), and then from there could be Bo (Bichette).. could be Bo 1, could be Bo 4, depending on who we're facing," Schneider said. If Bichette doesn't hit cleanup, veteran outfielder George Springer is another possibility. The cleanup spot would be a bit of a surprise after the 27-year-old was one of the biggest busts of the 2024 season, but he has made 106 starts in the cleanup spot in his career. Hitting cleanup would certainly give Bichette more chances to drive in runs with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander hitting ahead of him, but it wouldn't necessarily guarantee a bounce-back. Bichette could be a nice value play if he slides in drafts because of his poor 2024 campaign.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is batting at the top of the lineup in their first spring training contest on Saturday afternoon. Bichette was typically slotted in the three or four holes during the 2024 season but saw nine opportunities in the top spot. The 26-year-old had the worst season of his six-year MLB career in 2024, posting a .225/.227/.322 slash line with 16 doubles, four home runs, and just five stolen bases. During the campaign, Bichette battled a calf injury and a finger injury, which hindered his production. However, seeing him at the top of the order suggests he is a full-go and past these injuries. Prior to his disappointing season, Bichette held a stellar .299/.340/.487 line across his first five MLB campaigns. Given his previous production in the majors, if he performs well in spring training, he could become a popular bounce-back target in drafts.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) is a full-go for spring training. Bichette said he had the pin in his broken finger removed long ago and feels normal. "Bo looks like Bo, which is really, really refreshing," said manager John Schneider. "We kind of operated without one of best bats last year in Bo. So having him back is going to be big." The 2024 season was a lost one for the 26-year-old after injuring his calf and fracturing his right middle finger late in the year. Bichette's OPS dropped to a ghastly .599, and he also stole only five bases for the second straight season. He was one of the biggest busts in all of fantasy last year, but with better health, it's totally conceivable that he could bounce back to being one of the better fantasy shortstops in 2025. RotoBaller has Bichette ranked as the No. 15 fantasy shortstop after his brutal 2024 campaign.
Bo Bichette Has "No Real Interest" In Re-Signing With Toronto
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has "no real interest" in re-signing with Toronto, according to a source. Bichette is currently in the final year of his contract, and it looks like the infielder will test free agency after the 2025 season. Bichette was very productive over the first five seasons of his big-league career but struggled last summer, as he posted a career-low .225/.277/.322 slash line. He hit just four home runs and stole five bases. He generated a poor .303 xwOBA and .375 xSLG, both well below the average marks. In 2023, Bichette posted a strong .306/.339/.475 line with 20 home runs and 20 doubles. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also set to enter free agency after this season, it appears the Blue Jays will focus on re-signing him over Bichette. However, fantasy managers should expect Bichette to continue to operate as the starting shortstop in Toronto in 2025, and he could be worth drafting, as he should be expected to bounce back in a contract year.
Toronto "Not As Interested" In Re-Signing Bo Bichette
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Toronto Blue Jays are "not as interested" in re-signing infielder Bo Bichette in comparison to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rosenthal noted that the Blue Jays will likely have to make a decision on who to resign this upcoming offseason, as both players will likely seek a massive pay increase. Rosenthal also said that circumstances around Bichette have changed since the Blue Jays dismissed any trade talks regarding the shortstop. In addition, the Blue Jays also brought in star defender Andres Gimenez, who could eventually be Bichette's replacement. Bichette is coming off the worst season of his career, where he posted a .225/.277/.322 slash line, a stark drop from the .306/.339/.475 line he held in 2023. Rosenthal also noted that even though Toronto would likely be "selling low" on the 26-year-old, a trade would make sense. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation. However, Bichette remains a popular buy-low investment heading into the 2025 season and should be in line to bounce back.
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said on Tuesday that shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) is on track to be ready for Opening Day in 2025. Bichette had season-ending surgery in late September to have a pin inserted into his fractured right middle finger. The 26-year-old had an awful 2024 season between poor performance and injuries and was limited to 81 games for the Blue Jays. Barring a setback during his offseason workouts, though, Bichette should be ready to play in spring training and for Opening Day as he looks for a bounce-back campaign in what could be his final season in Toronto. He hit .225 on the year after never hitting blow .275 at any professional level of his career. Yes, he was a massive fantasy bust. Despite the terrible year, with good health, Bichette can absolutely rebound and could come at a nice value in spring drafts.
According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is not on the trade block. General manager Ross Atkins said it is an "easy no" when discussing potential trade inquiries surrounding the 26-year-old. Bichette had a disappointing 2024 season as he posted a career-worst .225/.277/.322 slash line with just four home runs, 31 RBI, and five stolen bases. The former second-round selection played in just 81 games this season due to numerous injuries. His metrics were not encouraging as he held a poor 4.4% barrel rate and .378 xSLG. However, given his past production, fantasy managers should expect Bichette to be in a good position to bounce back in the 2025 campaign.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) will have surgery on Wednesday to put a pin in his injured right middle finger. Bichette's fracture was a bit "displaced," according to manager John Schneider, so this surgery is expected to help the bone set. The 26-year-old will now begin his recovery this offseason as he looks to bounce back from what was an extremely disappointing showing in 2024. Bichette was forced to the injured list two separate times with calf injuries and then fractured his finger upon returning late in the year. The two-time All-Star was limited to only 81 games this year and finished with a disappointing .225/.277/.322 slash line with a career-worst .598 OPS, four home runs, 31 RBI and five stolen bases in his 336 plate appearances. Bichette's finger should be completely healed by the start of spring training in 2025.
Bo Bichette Done For The Year With Fractured Finger
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) suffered a fractured right middle finger and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, ending his season. It officially ends what has been one of the most disappointing seasons for any player in baseball in 2024. Bichette ended up playing in just 81 games and slashing .225/.277/.322 with a career-worst .598 OPS, four home runs, 31 RBI and five stolen bases in 336 trips to the plate. The 26-year-old managed to play in just one game, going 2-for-5 with an RBI on Sept. 17, since returning from a lengthy stint on the IL due to a calf injury that had been bothering him since the first half of the season. Bichette will now focus on getting his finger healthy this offseason, but he should be fully recovered in time for spring training as he attempts to have a bounce-back season in 2025. Ernie Clement and Leo Jimenez should share time at the 6 in Toronto the rest of the way.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was scratched from Wednesday's lineup after taking a ground ball off his middle finger in pregame warmups. The 26-year-old will have x-rays with the results expected Thursday. For now, he's considered day-to-day. The 2x All-Star had just returned from the IL, playing in just one game before this new injury. Bichette was having an uncharacteristically poor season as it was, slashing just .225/.277/.322 with four home runs in 81 games, compared to a career .290/.332/.466 slashline while averaging 24 home runs from 2021-23. Look for an update on his status sometime Thursday prior to the Jays' afternoon matchup with the Rangers.
Bo Bichette
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