The Toronto Blue Jays and star shortstop Bo Bichette avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing on a three-year, $33.6-million contract.
Bichette and the Blue Jays were scheduled to face off in an arbitration hearing. The one-time All-Star asked for $7.5 million, while the team countered at $5 million.
As a "file-and-trial" team, the Blue Jays have a policy of avoiding arbitration with players only if they can reach a multi-year agreement. Bichette's deal means Toronto avoided arbitration with all 12 of its eligible players in 2023.
Bichette is a lifetime .297/.340/.491 hitter with 69 home runs, 239 RBIs, and 46 stolen bases across parts of four big-league seasons with Toronto. The 24-year-old slugged 24 homers and a career-best 43 doubles in 2022 while leading the American League in hits for a second straight season. He's still on track to become a free agent after the 2025 campaign.
