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

By Canadian Press on January 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.

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.

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.

The Canadian Press