Ross Atkins: 'Easy no' on trading Bo Bichette, left-handed hitting and bullpen help on radar | TSN
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins shut down the idea of trading Bo Bichette on Tuesday, despite the shortstop potentially hitting unrestricted free agency next year.
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Blue Jays' Off-Season Wish List
Speaking at the MLB general managers meeting, Atkins pointed to relief pitching as a top priority for the team to upgrade this winter.
"We want to improve our pitching, improve our offence (and) build upon a team that we feel is a good one, is in a good starting position," Atkins said. "We need to improve our bullpen. That is the clear area of opportunity for us, but really excited about the energy here and our opportunity to get better."
Atkins also told Jordan Bastian of MLB Network on Tuesday that the Blue Jays are not looking to add a catcher this off-season, with their focus elsewhere.
Toronto traded catcher Danny Jansen this season, but still have Alejandro Kirk, Taylor Heineman and Nick Raposo on their 40-man roster.
Atkins also noted that Gold Glove centrefielder Daulton Varsho may not be ready for Opening Day after undergoing shoulder surgery and declined to comment on the team's potential pursuit of New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto as he hits free agency this winter.
