Bo Bichette spent years alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as one of the faces of the Toronto Blue Jays franchise.
The two stars were at the center of nearly every major conversation surrounding the organization, from playoff disappointments to contract speculation. Now, a few months into his tenure with the New York Mets, Bichette says his experience in Toronto prepared him for the intense scrutiny that comes with playing in one of baseball’s biggest markets.
As Guerrero prepares for another season as the centerpiece of the Blue Jays after signing a 14-year, $500 million extension, Bichette’s latest comments serve as a reminder of the pressure the pair faced together in Toronto.
Former Toronto Blue Jays Star Bo Bichette Has Struggled With New York Mets
After reaching free agency for the first time in his career, Bichette signed a three-year contract with the Mets worth $42 million annually. Expectations were high for the four-time All-Star, who entered the season with a .294 career batting average, 111 home runs and an .806 OPS from his seven seasons with Toronto.
Instead, his transition to New York has been anything but smooth.
Mets fans booed Bichette during the opening homestand after he opened the season 1-for-14 with eight strikeouts. Through his first 57 games, he was hitting just .222 with five home runs.
New York Mets’ Bo Bichette Compares Struggles To Life With Toronto Blue Jays
While New York’s sports media environment is often viewed as unique, Bichette believes he has already experienced something similar.
“That’s what New York is. When it’s not going well, it’s not great, and when it is (going well), it’s great. I haven’t experienced that yet,” Bichette said, according to the Toronto Star’s Mike Wilner. “(There) was a lot of attention surrounding myself and (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), so when things didn’t go well we caught a lot of the heat for it. So I feel like I’ve been through it, and I don’t feel as if it’s anything more crazy.”
The comments are particularly notable given Guerrero’s current role in Toronto.
With Bichette gone, Guerrero has become the undisputed face of the franchise following his record-setting extension. The Blue Jays are expected to contend again after their World Series appearance, meaning expectations and scrutiny are unlikely to fade anytime soon.
And Bichette’s Mets tenure has not produced the results many expected so far. But given his experience, the former Blue Jays star might bounce back soon and, one day, discover the other side of New York’s spotlight — the version that comes when things are going well.
