One of the most interesting MLB clubs to keep an eye on before the trade deadline is the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto is currently in second place in the AL East, behind the New York Yankees, with a 31-28 record for the season as of early June. It seems a little unrealistic to sell now, but in two months, a lot can happen. Shortstop Bo Bichette is one of their most valuable trade assets.
Bichette is hitting this year .277 with 32 runs batted in and seven homers. Although he is performing well by his standards, Ross Atkins may no longer want to make long-term investments in him as a franchise cornerstone.
This follows Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s massive contract extension at the beginning of the season. Despite being the son of a former Major League Baseball player, Bichette is still anticipated to be available for free agency the following winter.
MLB Insider Sparks Bo Bichette Trade Rumors
According to an article by ESPN, writer Jeff Passan writes about the potential trade targets the teams would be interested in offloading. In his list, the Blue Jays’ best potential prospect is Bichette.
In Passan’s early 2025 MLB trade deadline preview, he wrote, “Bichette is the headliner. While few contenders need a shortstop, he could shift to second and fill the need for a number of teams.”
Trade discussions have begun, and to commemorate the arrival of deadline season, I took a look at all 30 teams to see how they plan to operate between now and July 31. Free and unlocked at ESPN, the available players, teams’ needs and where they align: https://t.co/YqY4VDoGNM
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 3, 2025
Other players that could be potential trade targets include Chris Bassitt, a right-hander who has a lot of advantages and postseason experience. If he decides to leave, Kevin Gausman, who has a one-year contract, might accompany him.
Bullpen pitchers Chad Green and Yimi Garcia, who are signed until 2026, are both good. Also, Yariel Rodríguez has been a great bullpen pitcher and has the potential to become a starting option for a team with fewer arms than Toronto. He will have three years of club control after 2025.
Coming back to Bichette, the Blue Jays may be hesitant to trade their star shortstop this season. Aside from Toronto’s strong baseball, other considerations might keep Bichette from being transferred.
Passan wrote about the potential lack of demand for shortstops at the deadline; Bichette could theoretically man second base for a competitive club, he did note, but Toronto might just leave well enough alone and play it safe.
There’s also the question of what message Atkins and the rest of the Blue Jays organization would be giving to their national fan base, which is the most important aspect of all of this. Although this team may have reached a limit, it would seem terrible to trade Bichette when he still had time left on his deal.