A timeline of Bo Bichette’s time with Blue Jays as star infielder joins Mets

By: The Canadian Press Posted: 2:22 PM CST Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

TORONTO - Bo Bichette waved goodbye to the Toronto Blue Jays by signing a three-year, US$126-million contract with the New York Mets in free agency Friday, an Associated Press source said. The star infielder spent the first seven seasons of his big-league career with Canada’s only MLB franchise.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/01/2026 (262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO – Bo Bichette waved goodbye to the Toronto Blue Jays by signing a three-year, US$126-million contract with the New York Mets in free agency Friday, an Associated Press source said. The star infielder spent the first seven seasons of his big-league career with Canada’s only MLB franchise.

Here’s a timeline of his key moments with the Blue Jays:

June 9, 2016 — The Blue Jays select Bichette, the son of four-time all-star outfielder Dante Bichette, in the second round (66th overall) of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft from Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette fields a ball in left field hit by Kansas City Royals' Cheslor Cuthbert during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, July 29, 2019. Cuthbert doubled on the play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

July 29, 2019 — Bichette makes his major league debut, posting one hit in four at-bats in a 7-3 Blue Jays win over the Royals in Kansas City, Mo.

July 31, 2019 — In his third game, Bichette hits his first career home run as part of a three-hit day to help the Blue Jays win 4-1 and sweep the Royals.

Sept. 29, 2020 — The 22-year-old debuts in the post-season, striking out once and hitting one sacrifice fly in a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series. Bichette and co-star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led a young Blue Jays team to the surprise playoff berth with a 32-28 record in the COVID-shortened season.

July 4, 2021 — Bichette is named an MLB all-star for the first time. He made the American League team as a reserve shortstop after a hot start to the season, joining teammates Guerrero, Marcus Semien and Hernandez on the roster.

Oct. 3, 2021 — Bichette finishes the 2021 regular season as the AL hits leader with a career-high 191. He also had a career-best 29 home runs, 102 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.

Sept. 5, 2022 — Bichette hits three home runs in an 8-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Oct. 5, 2022 — Leads the AL in hits for a second consecutive season with 189, including 48 in September to set a Blue Jays franchise record for most in a single month. Bichette also hit 24 homers and 93 RBIs in 2022.

Oct. 8, 2022 — Bichette collides with centre-fielder George Springer in the eighth inning of a season-ending 10-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series in Toronto. Springer needed to be carted off the field after Bichette clipped him in the neck as both players tried to chase down a fly ball. The Mariners scored three runs on the play to tie the game before completing a stunning comeback from down 8-1.

Feb. 10, 2023 — The Blue Jays and Bichette avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three-year, $33.6-million deal before the 2023 season. The contract covered his three years of arbitration eligibility and positioned him to test free agency in 2026.

July 2, 2023 — Bichette earns a second all-star selection alongside Blue Jays infielders Guerrero and Whit Merrifield, and pitcher Kevin Gausman. He led the AL in hits with 113 at the time.

May 31, 2025 — Bichette becomes the first Blue Jays shortstop to record 100 career home runs with a solo shot against the Athletics.

Nov. 1, 2025 — Playing with an injured leg, Bichette hits a dramatic three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani to give the Blue Jays a 3-0 lead in Game 7 of the World Series at Rogers Centre. Toronto ultimately lost 5-4 in 11 innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers in an instant classic. Bichette missed the first two rounds of post-season action after injuring his left knee in September, but returned to play in the World Series.

Jan. 16, 2026 — Bichette, a marquee free agent, reportedly signs a lucrative three-year contract with the Mets, ending his Toronto tenure after seven seasons.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2026.