Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has shown signs of rebounding in the 2025 season following a difficult year in 2024, reviving discussions about his Bo Bichette contract extension and 2025 performance. His ability to return to the levels that earned him MVP votes from 2021 to 2023 could determine his future with the team.
Bo Bichette’s Early Career Success and 2024 Struggles
Bo Bichette’s peak years were marked by consistent excellence, as he led the American League in hits during both 2021 and 2022 and averaged 190 hits across those two seasons. His output for three consecutive seasons included 30 or more doubles, 20-plus home runs, over 175 hits, and a weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) that outperformed the league average by 20 percent. This established him as one of the premier hitters and shortstops in Major League Baseball.
However, Bichette’s 2024 season was marred by injury issues, including multiple stints on the injured list due to a right calf muscle strain and a right middle finger injury. This resulted in a severe decline in his stats, dropping from a .306/.339/.475 slash line in 2023 to .225/.277/.322 in 2024 over 336 plate appearances. His power numbers suffered notably, with only 21 extra-base hits in 81 games, a sharp fall from his previous seasons of consistent 20-home run production.
His batting average landed in the lowest 50 across MLB, and his barrel rate, a key indicator of solid contact, fell from 9.6% to 4.4%, signaling struggles at the plate. Despite this, his core strength historically has been his ability to accumulate base hits and maintain a reliable average, skills he appeared to lose last year.
Indicators of a Resurgent 2025 Campaign
Entering the 2025 season, Bichette has mounted a noticeable resurgence. As of late May, he is hitting .275/.319/.396 with four home runs, leading the Blue Jays in hits (61), doubles (15), RBIs (25), and total bases (88). Advanced metrics from Baseball Savant show Bichette ranking in the top 30% of MLB players for expected batting average, hard-hit percentage, average exit velocity, and strikeout rate.
A statistical comparison between his 2021-2023 production and his 2025 numbers demonstrates a return to a familiar level of offensive output. His 0.7 fWAR places him sixth among Blue Jays hitters, just behind notable players like catchers Alejandro Kirk (1.2) and Tyler Heineman (1.1), along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1.2), Ernie Clement (0.9), and Addison Barger (0.8).
His projected batting average of .308 ranks tenth in MLB for the season, with only fellow All-Star shortstops Bobby Witt Jr. and rookie Jacob Wilson ahead of him. These underlying numbers suggest Bichette could enjoy a strong campaign if he maintains this performance.
Evaluating Bo Bichette’s Contract Outlook Through Comparisons
While Bichette’s 2025 showings are encouraging, Toronto’s management faces the difficult decision of determining whether this performance signals sustained excellence or a short-term rebound. The uncertainty complicates negotiations for a substantial contract extension, especially given his injury-plagued 2024.
Recent contracts signed by comparable shortstops provide valuable context. Bobby Witt Jr. secured an 11-year deal, while Willy Adames agreed to a seven-year contract, both averaging around $26 million per season. These deals were motivated not just by talent but by consistent, high-level performance over recent seasons.
Bichette’s challenges include having only 336 plate appearances last season and noticeable drops in productivity. This puts pressure on him to demonstrate reliability and production comparable to these peers if he hopes to command a similarly lucrative and lengthy deal from the Blue Jays.
What Bichette Needs to Secure a Long-Term Contract
The Blue Jays recently signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a colossal $500 million extension, setting a high benchmark for star status within the organization. For Bichette to earn a deal of comparable significance, his power, defensive consistency, and overall impact must rank among the best for shortstops in the league.
Willy Adames leveraged a 30-home run, 20-steal, 112 RBI season in 2024 to negotiate an unprecedented contract with the San Francisco Giants. Similarly, Bobby Witt Jr. delivered nearly 50 stolen bases alongside 30 home runs and close to 100 RBIs in 2023, followed by a franchise-record 10.4 fWAR season for the Kansas City Royals. These singular performances significantly increased their market value.
Bichette does not necessarily need a career-best season to secure an extension, but he must provide compelling evidence of peak-level ability within his prime years. Simply matching his earlier form or exceeding it will greatly improve his chances during contract talks.
Fan Support and the Future of Bichette’s Blue Jays Tenure
Bo Bichette has garnered strong fan support, sharing the spotlight with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and forming a core part of the team’s future plans. However, the ultimate decision about his long-term presence in Toronto rests with the Blue Jays’ front office and Bichette himself.
During a 2024 west coast road trip, Bichette appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area with Carlos Ramirez, reflecting positively on the Bay Area stadium experience:
“It’s beautiful. Watching on TV, I didn’t really know what to expect. Looked too big on TV, honestly, and then coming here, it’s about as good as it gets. It feels like a real ballpark.” —Carlos Ramirez, Interviewer
This comment, while not directly suggesting his future intentions, hints that Bichette may be open to testing free agency if a suitable extension is not presented. Given his prior peak performances and the absence of a long-term commitment from Toronto thus far, the decision clearly lies with the Blue Jays to act.
Time is a critical factor. The window for Bichette to capitalize on his top form is narrowing, and the franchise will likely base its contract offer on his ability to sustain and build on the promising facets of his 2025 season. A return to consistent All-Star-level performance is essential to justify a significant financial commitment.
The Stakes of the 2025 Season for Bo Bichette
Bo Bichette faces a pivotal 2025 campaign that could cement or jeopardize his place with the Toronto Blue Jays. A strong, sustained showing will all but guarantee a lucrative contract extension, reflecting the potential he has demonstrated in his best years. Conversely, inconsistency or another injury-riddled season might leave the team hesitant and force Bichette into a less favorable negotiation spot.
As the Blue Jays look to remain competitive, especially offensively, the performance and development of their shortstop are integral. Fans and management alike will be watching closely to see whether Bichette can recapture his earlier success and justify a long-term role alongside stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the Blue Jays’ evolving roster.