No team has made more sense for Bo Bichette than the Blue Jays themselves. Right from being the long-haired teenager to watching the championship slip by last week, he’s kept it clear: Toronto is where he wants to stay. But free agency is here, and money has a history of remaining undefeated.

“Bichette told everyone who would listen that he wants to stay a Blue Jay as free agency approaches. He wants to continue his quest with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He said that publicly while quietly telling some people he wouldn’t mind playing in New York in the future. The immediate future,” Toronto Sky’s Steve Simmons shared.

After anchoring the top of the lineup and gutting it out through WS while dealing with a tough injury, Toronto has been an obvious landing spot for Bichette. The ‘Vladdy and Bo’ era has just made sense, making it to the World Series after 32 years. But hopes haven’t materialized yet. Having signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to half a billion dollars earlier this year, President Mark Shapiro has admitted it would be a little concerning to concentrate large sums on only a couple of players.

For now, the Blue Jays have let the shortstop walk into free agency. They call it “respecting” what he’s earned. Much like what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said after WS: “He’s got to do his thing to go and do what he has to do to get his money.”

But if the club is decisive in retaining him, they could be looking at a seven-year, $189 million deal, after analysing his defensive shortcomings and consistent at-bats. Also to note is the fact that the Blue Jays will be looking to fill the spots of Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and others as they hit free agency. George Springer is next in line, too.

So will Shapiro & Co. be prepared to outbid 29 other teams for about $30 million or more AAV? If not, Bichette turning towards New York, likely the Yankees, won’t be unusual. The team clearly needs a substantial boost at shortstop, given how uncertain Anthony Volpe’s role will be next season, and it’s about time the league’s highest valued club starts making big moves again.

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But honestly, landing Bichette on a long-term deal would be the perfect centerpiece to cap off their offseason.

If not the Yankees, Bo Bichette could sign a massive deal with an NL rival

The Toronto Blue Jays witnessed one of the gutsiest performances of the year when Bo Bichette pushed through injury to suit up for the World Series in October. He was clearly battling pain all season long, yet continued to grind it out and find ways to stay on the field.

So, of course, there will be no shortage of teams ready to make a run at the star shortstop.

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Bo Bichette could shock Toronto fans by leaving for the Atlanta Braves this offseason. The Braves entered last season with sky-high expectations but ultimately fell short. A glaring weakness for them was at shortstop, and Bo Bichette could instantly fill that void.

They have the financial flexibility and the roster fit to make a serious push. Still, it’s tough to imagine them outbidding the Blue Jays.

Even so, the Braves should be considered one of the top contenders in the Bichette sweepstakes. The interest is real. The need is clear. Even the resources are there. Whether they can actually lure him away from Toronto, though, is something only time will tell.