Great Loss: Toronto Blue Jays have lost a key player to a massive $102 million deal with Montreal Expos.

Bo Bichette, the Toronto Blue Jays’ shortstop, says a handful of previous baseball stars have motivated him to improve his game. According to MLB Network, Bichette credits Barry Larkin and Troy Tulowitzki for helping him improve his defense.

The rookie shortstop credits Larkin and Tulowitzki for improving his throwing technique and defense while playing in the infield over the previous year. Bichette says he’s now focusing on the mental element of his game ahead of the 2024 season.

Bichette has been a mainstay for the Blue Jays over the last several seasons. The shortstop has played in at least 135 games for the last three seasons in Toronto. In 2023, the shortstop had a .306 batting average, with 20 home runs and 73 runs batted in. The Blue Jays finished the season with a 89-73 record.

Toronto needs a strong season again from Bichette. The Blue Jays missed out on the sweepstakes to get Shohei Ohtani, despite putting together a strong financial package for him. Toronto is in arguably the most competitive division of the American League, with the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and other teams jockeying for position in the AL East.