In a shocking turn of events, the Toronto Blue Jays are set to part ways with three major players due to contract issues, putting head coach John Schneider in a difficult position ahead of the 2025 season. The priority for the team this offseason is locking up star player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term deal, but the cost of doing so is forcing the Jays to make some tough decisions regarding their roster.
After a disappointing last-place finish in the AL East and with stars Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette entering the final years of their contracts, GM Ross Atkins faces a critical offseason. While securing Guerrero Jr. is a top priority, it’s becoming clear that some sacrifices will need to be made to make room for his megadeal, rumored to be in the range of $30-40 million per year.
Toronto’s aggressive pursuit of Shohei Ohtani and rumored interest in Juan Soto highlights their willingness to spend, but keeping Guerrero Jr. and making other key moves could mean the end for several core players. Here are three Blue Jays who may be gone if the team pushes forward with Guerrero Jr.’s massive deal:
RHP Chris Bassitt
Chris Bassitt was a surprise hold past the trade deadline, but his age (35) and declining performance make him a likely candidate to be moved. Bassitt has one year left on his $22 million contract, and trading him could free up much-needed salary space for the Jays to pursue additional free agents. Teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, in desperate need of pitching, may be interested.
OF George Springer
George Springer’s $24 million salary is becoming a burden for the Jays, especially after a poor 2024 season in which he posted below-league-average numbers for the first time in his career. At 35 years old, Springer’s performance is in decline, and while finding a trade partner may be difficult, the Jays could look to package him in a deal to clear payroll.
SS Bo Bichette
The most significant potential departure could be Bo Bichette. With both Guerrero Jr. and Bichette in need of new contracts, the Blue Jays may struggle to afford both. Bichette had a down year in 2024 due to injuries, and his future value could be a sticking point in negotiations. If no agreement is reached, the Jays might be forced to trade Bichette before he becomes a free agent in 2025, or risk losing him for nothing.
As the Blue Jays move toward securing Guerrero Jr. for the future, the decisions made this offseason will shape the direction of the franchise—and the potential loss of key players like Bassitt, Springer, and Bichette may be just the beginning.
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