Trio of Toronto Blue Jays Veterans Pegged as Bounce Back Candidates in 2025

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, plus starting pitchers Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt, made MLB.com's list of players who are in line to return to form this season.

Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) and second base Andrés Gimenez (0) before the game against the New York Yankees at TD Ballpark. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays took a major slide in 2024, in part due to some of their key contributors failing to produce up to expectations.

Heading into a critical 2025 campaign, a few of Toronto's veterans could very well return to form.

Five MLB.com writers joined forces Tuesday to pick one batter and one pitcher they think will bounce back this season. Of the 10 total players mentioned, three were Blue Jays.

Thomas Harrigan listed shortstop Bo Bichette as his bounce-back hitter. David Adler had Kevin Gausman as his pitcher pick, while Manny Randhawa landed on Chris Bassitt in that category.

These veterans are primed for a successful 2025 💪 pic.twitter.com/qRBhlM1Bvs

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 26, 2025

Bichette hit .225 with a .598 OPS and -0.3 WAR across 81 games in 2024. Heading into the season, Bichette was a career .299 hitter with an .826 OPS and 126 OPS+, averaging 27 home runs, 40 doubles, 96 RBIs and 17 stolen bases per 162 games.

The 26-year-old is set to hit free agency next winter.

Bassitt, 36, is also a pending free agent. His 10-14 showing in 2024 – featuring a 4.16 ERA, 1.462 WHIP and -0.1 WAR – came in the immediate wake of a 10th-place finish in the AL Cy Young race.

As or Gausman, he has two years left on his deal. The 3.83 ERA and 1.221 WHIP Gausman posted last season don't look too bad on the surface, but his WAR dipped from 3.4 to 0.9.

Bichette, Bassitt and Gausman have a month left of spring training before the games actually start to count again. The Blue Jays open their regular season slate at home against the Baltimore Orioles on March 27.

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