Will Bo Bichette Be in the Blue Jays’ Opening Day Lineup Next Year?

The Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2025 season under immense pressure, and not just because of their championship aspirations. For the first time in years, the franchise was staring at the possibility of losing both of its cornerstone stars — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette — as they entered their final year of team control. The looming threat of free agency added a cloud of uncertainty over what many believed was a make-or-break year for the club.

Through the spring, speculation swirled. Would the Blue Jays trade one of their stars if the season went sideways? Could both truly stick around for the long term? Those questions dominated conversations in Toronto and around Major League Baseball.

By mid-April, however, part of that uncertainty was erased. Guerrero committed his future to the organization in dramatic fashion, signing a 14-year, $500 million mega-extension that not only secured his services but also positioned him as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. It was a landmark deal, one that sent a message to both fans and potential free agents that Toronto is serious about competing at the highest level.

But while Guerrero’s long-term future is now cemented, the same cannot yet be said for Bo Bichette.

Bichette’s Future Remains in Question

Bichette didn’t sign an extension before the season, and though rumors of a potential trade surfaced, they were quickly put to bed once the Blue Jays emerged as a legitimate playoff contender. Trading one of the most productive hitters in baseball simply wasn’t an option for a team trying to push into October. Instead, Toronto doubled down on this core, leaving Bichette’s fate for the offseason.

The pressing question now: will Bichette return in 2026?

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently weighed in, offering bold predictions for each team’s Opening Day lineup next year. According to him, Blue Jays fans should expect to see Bo Bichette right back in the middle of the order, batting cleanup and holding down shortstop.

Reuter pointed out that while Bichette’s defensive metrics have drawn criticism, Toronto could be the team most willing to work around those shortcomings. Other franchises might prefer to shift him to a less demanding position, but if staying at shortstop is a top priority for Bichette, the Blue Jays may hold the negotiating edge.

“Given his poor defensive metrics, there’s a chance the Blue Jays might be the only team willing to offer up a massive contract to Bo Bichette this winter without the stipulation of him moving to a less demanding position,” Reuter wrote. “If staying at shortstop is a priority, they might have the upper hand to bring him back. The club’s success this year, coupled with the Vlad Jr. extension, also makes a reunion more likely.”

Why Re-Signing Bichette Matters

The numbers tell the story of just how valuable Bichette has been. Through 139 games and 628 plate appearances, the two-time All-Star has racked up 181 hits, 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and 94 RBI. He currently leads Major League Baseball in both hits and doubles, cementing himself as one of the game’s most prolific offensive players.

Losing that level of production would be a nightmare scenario for Toronto. While his glove has drawn scrutiny at times, the Blue Jays have yet to see those defensive issues cost them in any significant way. More importantly, his bat remains irreplaceable, giving Toronto an edge at a premium position that few teams can match.

For the Blue Jays, retaining Bichette should be priority number one this offseason. With Guerrero locked up for the long haul, pairing him with Bichette for the prime of their careers could ensure Toronto remains competitive in an increasingly stacked American League.

The Bottom Line

Bo Bichette’s future in Toronto is still undecided, but the stars may be aligning for a reunion. The combination of his offensive firepower, his desire to remain a shortstop, and Toronto’s commitment to keeping its core together gives the Blue Jays an advantage no other team can match.

If Guerrero’s extension was the first domino to fall, Bichette could be the second and securing both would solidify the Blue Jays’ foundation for years to come.

For now, the question lingers: will Bo Bichette be in the Blue Jays’ Opening Day lineup in 2026? If Joel Reuter’s prediction is correct, the answer is a resounding yes.