If there is one thing that Ross Atkins has been consistent at in his time as Blue Jays general manager, it has been generally acing the poker player side of this position. Article content

Rarely does he even hint at the team’s intentions while in the pursuit of big signings, a strategy that has served him well in his decade here. Article content Article content

That said, what to make of his six most influential words on the most important piece of business for the this off-season.

“We will be in on his market,” Shapiro said when asked about Bo Bichette, who became a free agent at 5 p.m. on Thursday and figures to be one of the most pursued players at the high end of the market.

The team took care of the first bit of business earlier in the day, extending a qualifying offer of $22.

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