Former Blue Jays star Bo Bichette wishes he had a mentor in Toronto

Former Toronto Blue Jays star Bo Bichette may not have had the year he wanted at the plate with his new team, the New York Mets, but it's apparently come with some self-development and him embracing a leadership role.

In a recent interview with Will Sammon of The Athletic, Bichette spoke about emerging as a veteran presence with the Mets and taking two of their young players under his wing.

The 28-year-old former shortstop-turned-third baseman has reportedly become close with two of the Mets' rookies, A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge, serving as a mentor — something he "wished" he had during his first few seasons with Toronto.

"At times I wished I had a more established player along the way to kind of help me my first couple years," Bichette told The Athletic.

"As the season has gone on, the more time I spend here, the more I feel like a Met. ... They're a huge part of the future here, and I just want what's best for them."

On Bo Bichette and his influence on Mets rookies Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing: https://t.co/XdNwkb2T5U

— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) August 26, 2026

"Eventually Marcus [Semien] came along and helped me a lot. I've always wanted to be ready to have an impact on guys going through their first year or two in the big leagues."

Bichette made his MLB debut with Toronto midway through the 2019 season, and by the sound of his comments, he didn't have anyone to serve as a mentor until Semien was acquired as a free agent in 2021.

That's right, Teoscar Hernández and Randal Grichuk were apparently no help to the young star in 2019 and 2020.

Semien and Bichette hit it off during that 2021 season and have now become teammates once again in New York — a place that's started to feel like home for the former Blue Jay.

Bo Bichette spent seven seasons with Toronto before signing a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets following the 2025 season. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)

"As the season has gone on, the more time I spend here, the more I feel like a Met," Bichette said.

Bichette has a player option to become a free agent following this season if he so chooses. Over the offseason, he signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets that includes a player option for each year.

Even though the player option is there, it's extremely unlikely the two-time MLB All-Star would turn down the $42 million he's owed next season, given he's currently having the second-worst season of his career, slashing .264 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs.

Blue Jays fans definitely miss Bichette's offensive production, as the team sits second-to-last in the league in runs scored.

If Bichette were still a Blue Jay, his 64 runs this season would be the second-highest total on the team, behind only Kazuma Okamoto, who has 69.

It's tough to see.