Bo Bichette, Blue Jays finalize 3-year, $33.6M contract Jason Adams beats Rays in salary arbitration

TORONTO – Infielder Beau Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a three-year, $33.6 million contract.

The 24-year-old, son of former All-Star Dante Bichette, hit .290, 43 doubles, 24 home runs and 93 RBIs last year. He was an All-Star in 2021 when he batted .298 with 29 homers and 102 RBIs.

He asked for a pay raise from $723,500 to $7.5 million and was offered $5 million, the largest gap between the 33 players and teams that traded salaries last month.

ST. SAINT PETERSBURG, FL – Reliever Jason Adam beat Tampa Bay in the first of four arbitrations involving the Rays and receive $1.775 million instead of the team’s $1.55 million offer.

Adam was 2-3 with a career-lowest 1.56 ERA and a career-best eight saves in 67 assist games last season, hitting 75 and passing 17 in 63 1/3 innings. The right-hander earned $1.15 million.

Arbitrators Jasbir Parmar, Margaret Brogan and Stephen Raymond made their decision a day after hearing arguments.

Tampa Bay is also awaiting a decision on the pitchers case. Ryan Thompson ($1.2 million vs. $1 million) and Colin Pocket ($1.3M vs. $1.175M) and outfielder Harold Ramirez ($2.2 million vs. $1.9 million). These decisions are made on cases involving other players, which will be reviewed or settled next week.

Players and teams shared six decisions.

All-Star Pitcher Max Fried ($13.5 million) Lost to Atlanta, outfielder Kyle Tucker lost to Houston and reliever Diego Castillo ($2.95 million) lost to Seattle.

Pitcher Jesus Luzardo ($2.45 million) and AL batting champion Luis Arraes ($6.1 million) both beat Miami.

A decision is also expected on the Los Angeles Angels outfielder. Hunter Renfro.

Ten players remain in the hearing, which will last until February 17th.