MLB Rumors: Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette Get Trade Calls amid Free Agency

If the Toronto Blue Jays want to make any drastic changes to their roster this offseason, teams are happy to engage them in trade talks for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported teams have been calling the Blue Jays about both players.

Rosenthal was skeptical either Guerrero or Bichette will be dealt because Toronto is "under pressure to win" in 2024 and has been rumored to be in pursuit of Shohei Ohtani.

The Ohtani part of this equation is interesting because they would have to increase their payroll to bring him in without subtracting from their roster.

Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro told reporters in October he anticipates their 2024 payroll will "stay in the same area" as it was last season. The team had a $218.4 million payroll in 2023.

Toronto does have $59.8 million coming off its books with seven players hitting free agency. That would likely cover the average salary for Ohtani, but there are also going to be players on the roster who get raises through arbitration.

Guerrero is one of those players with a projected $18.3 million salary in 2024. up from $14.5 million last season. Bichette signed a three-year, $33.6 million extension in February that will pay him $11 million next season.

There is an argument that Guerrero could be expendable if Ohtani signs with the Blue Jays because even though he plays first base, he's best suited to be a designated hitter. Ohtani has the athleticism to play a position, but he's been limited to DH when he's not pitching.

All of that is hypothetical until there is a resolution to Ohtani's free agency. Guerrero and Bichette remain valuable players for the Blue Jays as they try to get over the hump in the playoffs after being swept in the wild card round three times in the past four seasons.

Guerrero hit .264/.345/.444 with 26 homers and 94 RBI in 156 games during the 2023 campaign. Bichette had a .306/.339/.475 slash line last season and has hit at least 20 homers in three consecutive years.