If the Toronto Blue Jays lose Bo Bichette in free agency, it won’t be for nothing.
The Blue Jays extended a one-year qualifying offer to Bichette on Thursday, ensuring they will receive a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
For the 2026 season, the qualifying offer is worth $22.05 million.
Bichette has until Nov. 18 to accept the offer and play on that deal. Otherwise, he will enter unrestricted free agency for the first time.
The Blue Jays also announced several other moves on Thursday as they prepare their roster for the off-season.
Injured right-handers Angel Bastardo, Bowden Francis, Yimi García, Nick Sandlin and Robinson Piña were reinstated from the 60-day IL. Piña was then assigned outright to triple-A.
Catcher Brandon Valenzuela was selected to the major-league roster, protecting him from December’s Rule 5 Draft. Toronto acquired the switch-hitting backstop from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Will Wagner at the trade deadline.
Right-handed relievers Ryan Burr and Dillon Tate both cleared waivers and elected free agency.
Bichette, 27, enjoyed an excellent 2025, hitting .311 with 18 homers, 94 RBIs and a .357 OBP before he sprained his left knee on Sept. 6 in a game against the New York Yankees after sliding into the catcher’s shin guards at home plate.
He returned in time for the World Series, hitting .348 and launching a three-run home run early in Game 7 that for a while seemed destined for franchise lore.
Afterward, he re-iterated his desire to stay in Toronto. Now, it’s a reality.
“It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve obviously grown up here in so many different ways,” he said prior to Game 6 of the World Series.
Bichette has spent his entire seven-year career to date with the Blue Jays after debuting in 2019. He rose the ranks in the minor leagues after being selected in the second round, 66th overall, in the 2016 draft.
Alongside Guerrero Jr., he formed the core of this Blue Jays era, reaching the playoffs three times but failing to win a post-season game prior to the World Series breakthrough.
Outside of an injury-riddled 2024 season, Bichette has been a consistent presence at shortstop and toward the top of the lineup for the Blue Jays.
For his career, he sports a .294 batting average with 111 home runs and 437 RBIs in 749 games.
