After finishing last in the AL East and with stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette nearing the end of their team control, the Toronto Blue Jays are heading into a pivotal offseason. The top priority for GM Ross Atkins will undoubtedly be securing Guerrero Jr. to a long-term contract.
Guerrero has been the face of the franchise since before his arrival in Toronto and is coming off one of his best offensive seasons in 2024. If the Blue Jays want to remain competitive in 2025 and beyond, it all starts with him, especially since elite first basemen are increasingly hard to find.
However, a mega-deal for Guerrero will come at a steep price, both financially and in terms of the roster. Toronto’s pursuit of Shohei Ohtani and interest in Juan Soto shows their willingness to spend, especially after resetting under the luxury tax at the deadline. But with Guerrero potentially commanding $30-40 million annually, some players may not be in the Blue Jays’ long-term plans.
3. RHP Chris Bassitt
Despite some expecting a trade, Bassitt stayed past the deadline, though he’s shown signs of decline at 35 and has only one year of team control left. Clearing his $22 million salary would help Toronto, especially if they pursue someone like Soto, and Bassitt could attract teams in need of steady pitching (perhaps the Cardinals).
2. OF George Springer
Springer had a rough 2024, posting a below-league-average OPS+ for the first time and hitting fewer than 20 home runs since 2015. At 35, his $24 million salary is becoming a burden. While his trade value is limited, packaging him with other assets might open up payroll flexibility for Toronto this winter.
1. Bo Bichette
This is the big decision. While Atkins hasn’t ruled out keeping both Bichette and Guerrero, it’s unlikely Toronto can afford both and still address their other roster needs. Bichette’s 2024 season was hampered by injuries, and the two sides may not agree on his value. If no deal is reached, the Blue Jays will face a choice: trade Bichette before he hits free agency or risk losing him for just a compensatory pick.
The team may choose to hold onto Bichette until the trade deadline in 2025 to see if he can regain his form and boost his value. However, that’s risky, as teams might be less willing to pay a premium for only half a season before he becomes a free agent. In any case, signing Guerrero Jr. could start the countdown on Bichette’s future in Toronto.