Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shares true feelings on Bo Bichette leaving for Mets

Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shares true feelings on Bo Bichette leaving for Metsoriginally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette grew up together in the Toronto Blue Jays‘ organization.

Now, though, Vladdy has to say goodbye. Bichette is leaving for the New York Mets.

The news emerged midday Friday that Bichette had signed a three-year, $126 million contract to be the Mets’ new third baseman

Toronto had still been in pursuit but evidently couldn’t match that $42 million per year offer.

The Blue Jays’ lineup shouldn’t suffer too incredibly, as long as Japanese signee Kazuma Okamoto is as advertised. It’s still a tough loss.

Guerrero spoke with Blue Jays reporter Hazel Mae on Friday evening to share a few thoughts:

“Of course, I feel sad after playing with him for so many years, but like I’ve always said, this is a business, and you have to look out for what’s best for you and your family. I wish him the best. We won’t be teammates anymore, but our friendship will last forever.”

For a long time, it seemed the Blue Jays would have the chance to extend both Guerrero and Bichette in one fell swoop.

But when Toronto handed out a $500 million contract to Vladdy in April, Bichette didn’t get a deal of his own. That always set up this possibility.

Bichette bounced back from a rough 2024, and a knee injury that kept him out for about a month at the end of the season didn’t stop him from returning and making an impact in the World Series.

Now, though, he won’t be sticking around to help Toronto try to do better than that Game 7 extra innings loss. Guerrero will have to do it without him.

But when Toronto handed out a $500 million contract to Vladdy in April, Bichette didn’t get a deal of his own. That always set up this possibility.

Bichette bounced back from a rough 2024, and a knee injury that kept him out for about a month at the end of the season didn’t stop him from returning and making an impact in the World Series.

Now, though, he won’t be sticking around to help Toronto try to do better than that Game 7 extra innings loss. Guerrero will have to do it without him.