The Toronto Blue Jays have been a hotspot for MLB stars after their World Series run. However, they have been stuck when it comes to their homegrown talent in Bo Bichette. If the delay wasn’t enough, their latest move has caused panic north of the border.

Insider Jeff Passan broke the news that Kazuma Okamoto signed with the Toronto Blue Jays just before his posting window expired. Reportedly, the deal is worth $60 million/ 4 years with a $5 million signing bonus. Okamoto will have a $7 million salary this year and $16 million in each of the following three seasons, according to the Associated Press.

The ones that remained empty-handed were the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have been linked to the Japanese star for some time now. They finished last in home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS last season, and a versatile talent like Okamoto could inject some power into the lineup. However, the Jays became Dodgers 2.0 to steal the star.  Now, while this will lead the Pirates to an uncomfortable pivot, for the Jays, this was a calculated strike.

Kazuma Okamoto is now expected to step into the Jays’ everyday third baseman role. However, his true value is in his versatility, given that he can play first base, has logged time in the outfield, and his defensive résumé speaks volumes, given the Golden Gloves in Japan.

The bigger draw, of course, is the bat.

Okamoto has been one of those reliable power hitters. And he has played for a decade in the NPB and posted 248 home runs with a .277/.361/.521 slash line. Even when injury wrecked his season, he showed he can impact games. For now, Jays think that the hitting infrastructure can help smooth his transition to the MLB-level pitching.

But even amid this big move, one question arises – if the roster is revamping to this point, what does it mean for Bo Bichette?

Fans wonder if Bichette’s journey in Toronto is ending

The question truly hit when an X user asked, “Ummmm, so Bo is gone?” However, while the concern makes sense, Okamoto’s arrival does not directly close the door on Bo Bichette. Sure, he is coming as 3B, but Bichette can play at second base. This entire off-season has been about a possible position switch, and if that happens, then Okamoto and Barger could see more outfield time, leaving Bichette in Toronto.

“I wonder how that impacts Bichette?” asked another fan. Now, there is a possibility that the Jays will make a play for Kyle Tucker. If they do, then the ripple effects could be huge. Suddenly, the Jays’ outfield would be crowded with Tucker, Daulton Varsho, George Springer, and Anthony Santander sharing DH and corner spots, plus depth pieces like Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Joey Loperfido.

This would only force Jays to make trades, and it puts Bichette’s value-player role in the franchise in a somewhat awkward position. Apart from that, if Tucker enters Toronto, the Jays will need to balance their finances somehow, which will only put more uncertainty over Bichette. Nevertheless, Okamoto’s presence doesn’t really hinder it as much.

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A Yankee fan said, “Bichette isn’t going anywhere—and I’m saying that as a Yankees fan.” But did you know that even in New York, the Bichette idea is difficult to ignore? The Yankees, you see, have been deadlocked on Cody Bellinger, but he costs an arm and a leg. If the Belinger plan fails, then Bichette makes complete sense.

He is younger and also had one of the best seasons yet. He slashed .311/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS, and this is the type of production the Yankees’ infield badly needs.

Adding gasoline to the fire was a Boston fan saying, “Bo Bichette, YOU are a Boston Red Sox.” And well, given Bregman opted out and hit free agency, the fact that Boston would be interested in Bichette is legit. Moreover, Bichette’s willingness to move from third base to second base has opened his market, inviting teams that were not looking towards him earlier, like Boston. If Bregman ends up with a five- or six-year deal elsewhere, Bichette is the clean pivot.

Another Blue Jays fan gave up and said,  “I think Bo is gone… no sign, and the obvious interest in Tucker shows they have no real push for him. I think he signs with the Red Sox.” If the Jays are after Tucker, then their chase for Bichette would officially end. Despite rumors that the Jays could land both Bichette and Tucker, their Okamoto chase aggressive off-season hints that they may not want to splurge big further.