Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr spoke to reporter Hazel Mae about the news that his teammate and close friend Bo Bichette signed with the Mets.
On Friday, Guerrero didn’t hide the emotion when asked about Bichette leaving. He called it sad, but also reminded everyone it’s a business, and family comes first.
Guerrero added that despite the two no longer being teammates, that they will remain close friends.
Reached out to #BlueJays Vladdy Guerrero Jr. for his reaction to the Bo Bichette news:
“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.” (1/2)
“I wish him the best. We won’t be teammates anymore, but our friendship will last forever.” (2/2)
From a pure baseball angle, this is a massive bat walking out the door. Bichette hit 18 homers, 94 RBIs, and 181 hits in 2025, and those are the exact kinds of at-bats that keep lineups breathing.
And it stings more because the other half of the duo is locked in for the long haul. Guerrero hit .292 with 23 homers and 84 RBIs in 2025, and his 14-year, $500 million extension already told us where the franchise is headed.
The on-field fallout is straightforward, even if the feelings aren’t. Sportsnet noted this effectively locks Andrés Giménez into shortstop, and it forces Toronto to rebuild the middle-of-the-order comfort that Bichette provided.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Bo Bichette departure
As a Jays fan, I hate how familiar this goodbye feels after the last few Octobers. Guerrero calling the friendship «forever» is sweet, but it also underlines how final the roster change is.
The Blue Jays can survive the defense shift, they can’t casually replace those high-contact, high-leverage swings. If you’re building around Guerrero, you need another hitter who can make pitchers pay for avoiding him.
I also think the front office has to wear this one a bit. Sportsnet framed Toronto’s offseason as aggressive spending, but letting a homegrown cornerstone leave on a shorter deal is still a gut punch.
Now it’s on the Blue Jays to prove this was a pivot, not a stumble, and to give Guerrero a lineup that makes his prime feel loud again.
o longer being teammates, that they will remain close friends.
elings aren’t. Sportsnet noted this effectively locks Andrés Giménez into shortstop, and it forces Toronto to rebuild the middle-of-the-order comfort that Bichette provided.
