Schneider: Jays aren't done shopping, would 'love to have Bo back'

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider is excited by his team's offseason additions thus far and hinted that the reigning AL champions aren't close to being done.

"In terms of what's next ... we're still looking to add. We're still looking to add a bat," Schneider told "Foul Territory" on Wednesday. "We're talking with Bo (Bichette). We've met with (Kyle) Tucker. We'd love to have Bo back."

He added, "I think that's an area we want to address to make sure we have another bat there (in the middle of the order). And then, looking for some high-leverage relief options at the back end of the 'pen."

The Blue Jays wasted no time shoring up their rotation this offseason, first by bringing in Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210-million deal and then signing 2025 KBO MVP Cody Ponce on a three-year deal. They'll also have deadline acquisition Shane Bieber for a full season after the former Cy Young winner opted into the final year of his contract.

Toronto has been repeatedly linked to Bichette and Tucker - the top two position players available - since the offseason began. Bichette is a known commodity to the Blue Jays, having been developed in their system alongside fellow homegrown superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Schneider called Bichette's contributions to the team "underrated and undervalued," in large part because the Blue Jays locked up Guerrero on a $500-million contract in April.

Tucker, meanwhile, reportedly visited the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, last Wednesday. The All-Star outfielder is represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management.

Many of the top relievers have also been connected to the Blue Jays. The team was said to be pursuing star closer Edwin Díaz before he reportedly signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They're also chasing two-time All-Star Robert Suarez, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reported Monday.

The Blue Jays have tried to reel in some of the biggest stars in free agency over the past few winters only to repeatedly come up short. This year, Schneider said, feels different. He senses that the baseball world is looking at the organization in a different light following the team's playoff run that finished inches short of a championship.

"This has been building for a few years in Toronto, in terms of ownership support, payroll, players, facilities, and it's shown on the field," Schneider said. "So, I think having the success we've had makes it a little more desirable to come here. We've definitely heard that from players and agents, and (I'm) comfortable to say that we will continue to try to get better as this month unfolds."