DUNEDIN – Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette seems to be and seems like himself once more at spring coaching after an injury-plagued 2024 season.
That’s excellent news for a participant coming into his stroll 12 months and a group that wants him to be in high type because it seems to be to bounce again from a last-place end within the American League East.
“I think we’re capable of winning a lot of games, I think we’re definitely better,” Bichette stated Thursday. “There’s excitement, I think everybody is willing to do their part to win and show everybody what we’re capable of if people forgot. So it’s exciting.”
Bichette chatted for a couple of minutes by his clubhouse stall earlier than morning exercises on the group’s participant growth advanced. He bumped fists with teammate and good good friend, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., because the slugger walked by through the interview.
Each infielders got here up by way of the system and have been tagged as faces of the franchise. Nevertheless, their future with the membership past this season is unclear.
Bichette hasn’t had contract extension talks with the Blue Jays, who have been unable to ink Guerrero to a long-term deal earlier than his negotiation deadline arrived earlier this week.
“I’ve played with him for so many years that I know he’s here to win,” Bichette stated. “Same goes for everybody else in here. So I think it’s pretty easy for us to put the media attention on that behind us and just get focused on winning.”
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Bichette signed a three-year, US$33.6-million take care of the Blue Jays in early 2023 that lined his three seasons of arbitration eligibility. He stated he has not had extension talks of his personal.
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“If that comes, then we’ll figure that out,” he stated. “I’m not sure how that will look. But for me right now, I’m just focused on being the best that I can be helping the team win. That’s really it.”
Bichette handled nagging calf points final 12 months and had his season finish in mid-September when he fractured the center finger on his throwing hand.
“Bo looks like Bo, which is really, really refreshing,” Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider stated after watching Bichette at observe.
The 26-year-old shortstop has regarded clean and comfy throughout infield drills with new second baseman Andres Gimenez, who was acquired in December from the Cleveland Guardians.
“The last couple years it’s been kind of who knows who’s going to play second base,” Bichette stated. “So I think when you know someone is going to be there every day, (the comfort comes) pretty quick.”
Gimenez, 26, has posted middling numbers on the plate however is a defensive standout. He additionally has loads of pace, stealing 30 bases in every of the final two seasons.
Signed to a profitable deal by way of 2029 with a group choice for 2030, his arrival makes a powerful defence even higher.
“I think he’s taken away probably 30 hits from us the last couple years,” Schneider stated. “So I’m glad he’s on our facet. He’s all enterprise. I believe he brings the depth up with every ground-ball session for everyone due to what he can do defensively.
“He can really swing the bat too.”
A two-time all-star, Bichette led the American League in hits in 2021 and ’22. He hit a minimum of 20 homers in his first three full seasons with the Blue Jays however struggled final 12 months with a .225 common and simply 4 homers and 31 RBIs over 81 video games.
“There’s always numbers that you think you’re capable of and want to reach,” stated Bichette, who has shorn his lengthy brown hair. “However actually for me, I simply wish to be as aggressive as I can daily, the hardest potential out that I might be daily.
“I want to look for every advantage I can on the bases, in the field and as a hitter. I think if I keep those (things) the focus, I’ll be in a good spot.”
The primary half of the 2025 season will probably be a important interval for a group that’s constructed to win now. Early struggles may result in one other sell-off on the commerce deadline and a possible rebuild.
But when every part clicks and the group turns into a contender once more, the core that’s in place may endure. Bichette and Guerrero have at all times expressed their need to remain collectively and win collectively.
Whether or not that’s in Toronto or elsewhere stays to be seen.
“I think I’ve learned to appreciate the joy he plays with and the passion he plays with,” Bichette stated of Guerrero. “What you see on the field is what you get in the clubhouse. He’s just enjoying life, which I appreciate a ton. He helps balance me out I think.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Feb. 20, 2025.
