Two-time batting champion Bichette joins the Mets; decade-long teammate Guerrero admits it's hard to let go

Two-time AL batting champion and two-time All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette shocked the baseball world on January 17 by signing with the New York Mets, ending his seven-year tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays on a three-year, $126 million contract. Learning that his nearly decade-long teammate was leaving, Blue Jays’ leading player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. admitted, “It’s definitely heartbreaking.”

Bichette was selected by the Blue Jays in the second round of the 2016 draft and became minor league teammates with Guerrero the following year. In mid-2019, both made their major league debuts in the same season. Since then, Bichette has steadily improved, leading the AL in total hits from 2021 to 2023. Last season, he posted 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and a .311 batting average. Despite missing nearly the final month of the regular season due to a knee injury, he still recorded 181 hits, just four shy of claiming his third batting title.

The Blue Jays narrowly missed the World Series last season, and on the day of their elimination, Bichette expressed, “From the start, my wish was to stay in Toronto.” He also often mentioned his desire to be “lifelong teammates” with Guerrero. However, during the offseason, contract renewal talks stalled until news broke on the 17th that he had agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets.

Reflecting on no longer being able to chase a championship alongside Bichette, Guerrero shared his feelings: “Having played alongside him for so many years, of course, it’s hard for me. But as I always say, baseball is ultimately a business, and you have to make the best decisions for yourself and your family. I sincerely wish him all the best. Though we’re no longer teammates, our friendship will last forever.”

Nicknamed “Smiling Guerrero,” he and Bichette have been intertwined stars since starting together in the Blue Jays’ rookie league in 2016: advancing to Single-A in 2017 and Double-A the next year. Although Guerrero reached Triple-A first, Bichette quickly caught up in 2019, and that same season they debuted together in the majors. Since then, they have been central figures in the Blue Jays’ lineup, jointly leading the team to the World Series last year.

Guerrero extended his commitment with the Blue Jays last year, signing a 14-year, $500 million deal securing his future, while Bichette became a free agent after the season. Now moving to the Mets, their decade-long partnership might be ending. In an interview with reporter Hazel Mae, Guerrero admitted that Bichette’s departure “definitely” makes him emotional: “After working with him for so many years, naturally, it’s sad. But as I always say, it’s part of the business, and you have to make the best choices for yourself and your family. I wish him all the best. Though we’re no longer teammates, our friendship endures.”