Toronto – When the Blue Jays shocked the world with a seven-year, $210 million contract for pitcher Dylan Cease, many doubted their ability to retain star shortstop Bo Bichette. But this morning, news from Athlon Sports sent the entire Blue Jays community into a frenzy: “Even though Cease has taken up most of the budget, the Blue Jays can still keep Bichette — this information is considered ‘good news’ for both sides.”
Re-arranging the budget? Maybe. But what gives fans hope most of all: Bichette remains the organization’s top priority. The Athlon writer asserted that, “the moves to increase pitching will not prevent the Blue Jays from bringing Bichette back.”
2025 marked Bichette’s “rebirth” from injuries: in 139 regular-season games, he averaged .311, OPS .840, 18 home runs, 94 RBIs — becoming a steady pillar as the Blue Jays reached the World Series for the first time since 1993.
When asked about his future, he didn’t hesitate: “I wanted to stay in Toronto from day one.”
But Bichette also knew his worth — he was entering free agency for the first time in seven years with the Jays, meaning his influence and upcoming contract could be extremely large.
Signing Cease proved that Toronto was willing to spend big to upgrade the rotation. But they also knew: line-up, offense, and offensive stability must go hand in hand with pitching—and that’s why Bichette suddenly found himself back in the center of the storm. An MLB insider commented: “Even though the budget is stretched, if the Jays have the chance to keep Bichette, they will do it. He is the perfect symphony of new pitching and old offensive brilliance.”
Moreover, the organization understands that if they let Bichette go, they will not only lose a key hitter, but also a symbol, a belief — something that no matter how good the pitching is, it cannot make up for.
The news that “there is still a chance to keep Bichette” has caused a stir among Toronto fans. On X/Twitter, the hashtag #BringBackBichette has spread strongly:
“After Cease, if we keep Bichette — we can make things happen.”
“This is not just the offseason — this is the Jays’ chance to prove: we want both pitching and offense.”
Many people remember the 2025 season, when Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched the team. With the Cubs, Yankees, and Mets all looking to get in on the act, the Jays have every reason to act quickly.
The free agency market is hot — and with Bichette, any number, any offer could change the game. But with tradition, with the offseason, and with the effort to build a strong organization, the Blue Jays are facing a decision that could take them to the top — or miss a beat again.
“Nobody thinks keeping Bichette is easy — but everyone thinks it’s worth the effort,” said one insider.
If all goes well, Bo Bichette will return to Toronto, along with Cease and a new pitching staff — forming a roster that opponents will have to fear. If not — the Jays will pay the price, not just in baseball, but in the faith of their fans.
At this point, one thing is clear: the winter of 2025-2026 is not just a trade season.
It was a season that defined the spirit, the ambition and the future of the Toronto Blue Jays.
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