Bo Bichette Rips MLB’s Arbitration Process
MLB’s arbitration system isn’t perfect but Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has a REAL problem with it. Bichette and Toronto avoided arbitration agreeing to a contract that will whip out those arb years and take him right to free agency in 2026. Despite agreeing to a new contract with Toronto, Bichette still felt the need to rip the arbitration system.
“Arbitration is an incredibly flawed process, one that isn’t very good for the game,” Bichette said Monday, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. “There’s no reason to pit owners and executives against players. Just no reason.”
“I just don’t think that’s a good position for relationships,” Bichette said. “As players and as owners, we should be striving to have a good relationship between boss and employee.”
“It was never really about how much money I can make or anything like that, it was more about seeing that the team wanted to value me,” Bichette said. “And I think that the contract they gave me definitely showed that they value me and respect what I do here. That was really all it was for me.”
No, the system is not perfect. Anyone who’s even in favor of the system that’s been in place since the 1970s would agree on that. Don’t ask me why the arb system thinks that saves should earn relievers more money. Yes, it’s flawed but let’s be real…. Bichette is crying about this for one reason. This system limits players’ earning potential.
The arb system is in place for one reason and one reason only. To protect small market teams from losing their star players right away. This is MLB’s version of NBA’s restricted free agency or NHL’s version of bridge contracts. Bichette’s thoughts are feelings are invalid and come across as though he’s a crybaby. MLB contracts keep players under team control for seven years when they come up through the minors. Hockey and the NBA is virtually the same. I don’t know what to tell Bichette other than to shut his mouth about things he’s not educated on. These rules aren’t changing and nor should they. Bichette is being paid pretty well as he heads into those arb years too…
