Bichette has big expectations
Talks of contract extension have been put on back burner for now
Shortstop Bo Bichette has big expectations for the upgraded Toronto Blue Jays.
“I believe in the team, just like I did last year,” Bichette said Monday as the Blue Jays held their first full-squad workout in Dunedin, Fla. “Obviously, we added some new names.
“I think this year, if we go home without a trophy, that’ll be disappointing,” he said.
Toronto was among the busiest teams on the free-agent market, agreeing to a $150 million (U.S.), six-year contract with outfielder George Springer; an $18 million, one-year contract with shortstop Marcus Semien; a $5.5 million, oneyear deal with right-hander Kirby Yates; a $3 million, oneyear contract with right-hander Tyler Chatwood and a $1.75 million, one-year contract with right-hander David Phelps.
“We’re very excited, we all believe in ourselves, and we believe that we can play with the best teams,” Bichette said.
Semien said he’s already impressed by the winning attitude at camp.
“There’s a level of confidence I’m excited about,” he said. “We’re going to get better as time goes on, but I like where we’re starting.”
The Blue Jays went 32-28 last season, finishing third in the AL East behind the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees and qualifying for the expanded 16-team post-season. Back in the playoffs for the first time in four years, Toronto was swept in two games by the AL champion Rays in a first-round series.
Springer was a perennial playoff performer in Houston, helping the Astros win their first World Series in 2017. He was MVP of that seven-game victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“He’s put up some crazy numbers on the biggest stage in the game and that’s what it’s about,” Bichette said. “When we make the playoffs, if we make the playoffs, we’ll be able to watch him and see how he goes about his business.”
Bichette had an explosive debut with Toronto after being called up July 29, 2019, collecting 13 extra base hits in his first 11 games and becoming the first rookie since Ted Williams to record extra-base hits in nine straight games.
Bichette, who turns 23 next month, hit .301 with five home runs and 23 RBIS in 29 games last year during the virus-shortened season. He missed some time with a knee sprain.
Manager Charlie Montoyo views Bichette as a future allstar.
“He’s got confidence and he knows he’s a winner,” Montoyo said. “He’s going to help us win a lot of games just because he’s got that.”
Even so, the Blue Jays pursued a trade for shortstop Francisco Lindor over the winter, but the former Cleveland star ended up with the New York Mets. Toronto eventually signed Semien, who played shortstop with Oakland but is expected to play second base with the Blue Jays, something the team made sure Bichette understood right away.
On the same day Padres star Fernando Tatis finalized his $340-million, 14-year deal, Bichette said he and the Blue Jays discussed a potential long-term contract over the winter, but no formal offer was ever made.
“I’m open but obviously there’s more important things at hand,” Bichette said. “I would rather focus on spring training, the season ahead, but we’ll see what happens.”