Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr Sends ‘Off’ Message On Bo Bichette’s Mets Decision

The Toronto Blue Jays are set to open the season with a stronger roster than the one that made it all the way into extra innings of Game 7 in the World Series last year.

The team has focused on adding win-now talent to their group, bringing in the likes of Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers, Cody Ponce and Kazuma Okamoto. And former Cy Young Award winners Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer will be returning after some shots at free agency as well.

But even though the team is stronger on paper thanks to those additions, the Blue Jays also suffered a significant offseason loss when long-time shortstop Bo Bichette left for a new contract with the New York Mets.

“It was farewell to the only franchise Bichette had ever known, a departure finalized as the 28-year-old infielder agreed on Friday to a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets,” The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon wrote of the exit. “It was goodbye, as well, to a period of Blue Jays baseball built around a pair of long-haired prospects, Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., that allowed a fanbase to again dream of real success.”

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Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training Feels ‘Off’ For Vladimir Guerrero Jr Without Bo Bichette

The Blue Jays will look to replace Bichette by moving Andres Gimenez to shortstop and Ernie Clement to second base. And Okamoto promises to bring another impact bat from the infield. But Bichette’s long-time role on the team and particularly his relationship with franchise slugger Guerrero will be impossible to replicate.

“The first week was a little bit off because I’ve played with him since (I was) 17 years old,” Guerrero told MLB Network Radio of his Spring Training without Bichette so far. “It was a little bit off, but you’ve got to understand this is business… He wanted the best for his family and we’ve got to understand.”

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Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr ‘Sad’ After Bo Bichette Left For New York Mets

Guerrero might have to take another step up at the plate if the Blue Jays hope to win it all next season without Bichette on the roster. But even though his former teammate’s decision to leave for the Mets was a bit painful, he appears to be coping well.

“When he signed with the Mets, I was a little bit sad,” Guerrero added on MLB Network Radio. “He’s always still my brother, he’s always going to be, same relationship, no matter what, (even) if he is on another team, because we built a good relationship outside of the field. When you build a good relationship like that, he’s going to be my brother forever, no matter what happens.”