GM: Hard pass as teams eye Vlad Jr., Bichette

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Sunday said he’s fielded calls from other teams inquiring about first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or shortstop Bo Bichette, but “it just doesn’t make any sense for us” to make those trades.

“There will be occasional times when you’re talking to other executives when they’ll ask if you’d consider it, and we just say it’s not something that we have spent any time on,” Atkins told MLB Network Radio on Sunday. “Because they are so talented and such great teammates, they are attractive to other teams, so they will call.”

Both players are under contract with the Blue Jays through the 2025 season, and Atkins said that he’s had discussions with both about a contract extension.

Guerrero, 25, is hitting .291 with 5 home runs and 26 RBIs this season. Bichette, 26, is hitting .241 with 4 home runs and 25 RBIs.

“Of course, we have dialogue with them, and that is something that will continue,” Atkins told MLB Network Radio. “We believe in them. We believe in their futures and hope that there is a way they can play here for a long time.”

Atkins said Guerrero could make some starts at third base in an attempt to add more offense to Toronto’s struggling lineup, and he started there Sunday for the first time since the final game of his rookie season in 2019.

“It’s not a position change by any means,” manager John Schneider said. “I think it just offers some flexibility.”

The Blue Jays, who entered play Sunday with the third-fewest runs scored in the American League, are tied for last in the AL East — 12½ games behind the New York Yankees.

Atkins, however, said he’s not rushing to make changes, especially with Schneider, just yet.

“I just don’t believe in changing [just] to change, or change for the sake of trying something different,” Atkins said. “We have to be better. I do not feel that John Schneider has been anything but part of the solution, and [he] will continue to be.”