“Some Stuff went on with Bo” – Former All-Star Reveals Bichette–Blue Jays Rift
Toronto didn’t only lose Bo Bichette this offseason. It lost the ending to a story that had been calmly fraying for a while. The New York Mets’ three-year, $126 million deal wasn’t a sudden breakup, but the final chapter. And now, with a lot of slamming from former stars, distance, and microphones involved, the backstory is starting to spill out.
From the outside, Bo Bichette’s exit looked like business. Star shortstop. Expiring patience. New York money. However, timing matters. Toronto had already hit turbulence after a World Series loss, and internal pressure was building. According to a report dated Jan. 23, 2026, the relationship wasn’t as clean as it appeared when free agency opened.
That’s where things turned. On the “Six Inning Stretch” podcast, former All-Star Whit Merrifield suggested the Bo Bichette-Blue Jays dynamic had deteriorated behind the scenes. Speaking with Lindsay Dunn, Merrifield said tension with coaches and the front office slowly changed the tone.
“There was some stuff that went on with Bo and the Jays, as far as some of the front office and coaching staff, that I think maybe tainted that relationship a little bit. So, I don’t know how the negotiations went… I know they probably tried a little bit, you know, for the city’s sake. But I think it was probably inevitable, a little bit, that they ended up parting ways… I just think it was probably best for both parties that he ended up somewhere else.”
Bo Bichette still loved Toronto. Toronto just wasn’t home anymore. Also, his Mets deal reportedly opened new doors for Cody Bellinger.
Why Bo Bichette’s $300M Free Agency Dream Fell Short
With Bo Bichette’s free agency, reality hit fast as the market pushed back on his $300 million ask, per Jonah Struyk on Jan. 24, 2026.
The bat, however, was never the issue. Bichette hit .311 with 18 homers and 181 hits despite knee problems, leading MLB in hits deep into 2025. When healthy, he carried lineups and flipped games. But durability mattered. He played 139 games, then faded late, following an 81-game injury-plagued 2024.
Defense and speed tipped the scales. Bo Bichette graded poorly at shortstop again and ranked near the bottom in sprint speed. As reported, teams balked at the long-term risk. The Mets see value (likely at third base), but the market made one thing clear: upside, yes, $300 million no.
“Some Stuff went on with Bo” – Former All-Star Reveals Bichette–Blue Jays Rift
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