Report: Bo Bichette trade remains a possibility for the Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly trying to make the most out of this winter and it might involve a couple of blockbuster transactions.

After going winless in the playoffs and having an overall disappointing season, the Blue Jays are looking to bounce back in a big way. They are seemingly involved in every single rumour or report, and have put themselves in a position to make a significant splash before the calendar year ends.

Among the latest, it appears there is a real possibility the Blue Jays could move star shortstop Bo Bichette this offseason in a multi-faceted move, according to TSN’s Scott Mitchell.

“You go back to last year and the arbitration. I still don’t think the relationship is as perfect as some other scenarios, in terms of moving forward on a long-term contract,” Mitchell said on TSN 1050. “I don’t think it’s just about money, I think it’s about, maybe the Blue Jays not fully believing internally that he is a long-term shortstop, which means you are probably not going to pay him like one.”

The 25-year-old infielder has two years left under team control and would be set to hit the open market after the 2025 season as a free agent. With that potentially short timeline and the team control remaining, alongside the reported internal strife between the player and organization, the plausibility begins to become all the more real.

As for the type of return the Blue Jays would look for, Mitchell also laid out the possibility of the club eyeing a possible blockbuster with the San Diego Padres to nab star outfielder Juan Soto. The 25-year-old Padre is a free agent after next season and could certainly address Toronto’s need for more offense, as well as potentially shake up two clubs in a major way much the same way as when the two connected on a blockbuster deal 33 years ago.

Another name reported in the mix on the Blue Jays front includes the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani. A free agent this winter, Mitchell believes that Toronto is deep in the mix.

“If he rules out the West Coast, and looks at the East Coast and takes that seriously, and says ‘I want to win’ — I think there are four or five teams involved,” Mitchell said. “It’s the two New York teams, the Toronto Blue Jays, and another mystery team or two. … I’m not ruling it out. It’s the same level of likeliness when I say I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded Bo Bichette, I’m just not going to be surprised when they’re a serious contender for Shohei Ohtani.”

Toronto general manager Ross Atkins has his work cut out for him as he enters his ninth offseason with the team, and it certainly looks like he is working the phone to get the job done.