MLB writer explains concerning impact of Bo Bichette's slow start

Once considered one of the most promising young shortstops in Major League Baseball, Bo Bichette has seen his value plummet over the last two years.

Much like the Toronto Blue Jays as a whole, Bichette peaked during the 2021-2023 seasons in which he hit .298, made a pair of All-Star teams, and averaged 4.8 WAR per season. His performance helped lead the Blue Jays to the postseason in 2022 and 2023, and though they failed to advance past the Wild Card round, they looked well set up for contention for years to come, thanks in large part to their 25-year-old shortstop.

The first signs of trouble, however, began to emerge in the 2024 season. Expected to once again challenge the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at the top of the division,  the Blue Jays finished in last place in the American League with a dismal 74-88 record. Though there was plenty of blame to go around, Bichette’s performance played a huge role in the regression, as he hit just .221 with four home runs in 81 games. 

Due to his past performance, Bichette’s poor numbers could have been attributed to a series of injuries that wiped out half of his season, making him a popular bounce-back pick entering 2025. And while Bichette has posted an admirable .292 batting average, there are some glaring flags. Always among the freest swingers in baseball, Bichette’s propensity to swing at pitches out of the zone has led to a dismal 4.5% walk rate and zero home runs in 128 plate appearances. Bichette still has enough bat-to-ball skills and hits the ball hard enough to warrant a spot at the top of the Blue Jays struggling batting order, but it is hard to be an above-average offensive player when you don’t walk and don’t hit for power. 

While you can still squint and see a productive offensive player, there is no getting around Bichette’s defensive struggles. After years of posting bottom-of-the-barrel defensive numbers, Bichette looked to take a step forward when he registered +1 Outs Above Average in 2024 but has already fallen back to -3 Outs Above Average in 2025. Bichette’s poor defense was easier to overlook when he was among the most productive offensive shortstops in baseball, but his regression at the plate has put his defense under a microscope. 

This underperformance could not come at a worse time for Bichette, as he is set to enter free agency after this season. Given his youth and previously elite play, Bichette looked to be in a prime position to capitalize on a weak free-agency class, especially after teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came off the board, but FanSided’s Edward Eng believes that his play no longer warrants the mega-contract he is seeking. 

“So far this year, Bichette has brought his average back up to a respectable number, as he's hitting .292 through 28 games,” Eng wrote. “However, the power outage that plagued him last season is still there. He has a .686 OPS and has yet to hit a home run this year. If Bichette is now more Luis Arraez than Derek Jeter he may not be worth the $200 million contract that he's seeking.“

Bichette’s performance may also impact the Blue Jays ability to trade him at the deadline. With one of the worst offenses in baseball and three teams pulling ahead of them in the American League East standings, the possibility that they pull the plug at the deadline and replenish their weak farm system seems to grow by the day. Yet if Bichette continues to play like he has over the last two years, it is hard to see the Blue Jays landing any impact minor leaguers for his expiring contract. 

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