The free-agent market is starting to really heat up for former Blue Jays all-star Bo Bichette, with one offer coming in particularly hot and heavy.
Bichette, who spent the first seven years of his MLB career in Toronto, is one of the top remaining players in free agency after the Chicago Cubs inked third baseman Alex Bregman.
However, as Bichette weighs his options for which team he will sign with for the 2026 season and beyond — the Jays, Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies are reported to be the top suitors — he has received yet another off-field offer to help entice him to stay in Toronto.
After Bichette received an offer of free “steak for life” from Toronto restaurant Animl, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has stepped up with a little add-on in the form of a little blue pill.
What PETA says of the offer
According to a press release sent to the Toronto Sun on Monday, PETA is offering to provide Bichette with a lifetime supply of Viagra if he accepts what the organization is calling a “beef bribe.”
“PETA is ready to help the star shortstop prepare for a bit of a slump, should he accept the beef bribe: Offering to provide Bichette with a lifetime supply of Viagra — since eating artery-clogging meat can lead to striking out in the bedroom.”
The animal rights group also will throw in a vegan starter kit, including “bet you can’t tell the difference, but your arteries can” vegan steaks.
“A steak a day will undoubtedly keep the erections away, as cholesterol-packed meaty meals are known to slow the flow of blood to all the body’s organs,” PETA president Tracy Reiman said in the release. “PETA is encouraging Bichette to reject this steakhouse’s cow-killing kickback and reminds everyone that eating vegan can mean the difference between sizzling and fizzling in the bedroom.”
According to the release, PETA says that studies have shown that eating vegan “can significantly boost sexual function in men and reduce their risk of impotence.”
A change in diet also can reduce an individual’s risk of heart disease, strokes, diabetes, obesity, cancer and other ailments.
It also claims that each person who goes vegan saves the lives nearly 200 animals per year.
What was Animl’s offer to Bichette?
Animl, a Toronto steakhouse and cocktail den located on Wellington St., posted its offer to Bichette last Monday.
“Dear Bo Bichette,” the Instagram post reads, “Toronto suits you.
“The city, the energy, the fans — it all feels right, much like a perfectly cooked steak. At Animl, we believe in commitments that last — the craft, the care, and the city we call home.
“In that spirit, we ask you to re-sign with the Toronto Blue Jays — and consider this our promise: Steak for life on us.
“No negotiations. No fine print. Just a standing reservation at our table.
“Stay in Toronto. We’ll handle dinner, you bring home the hardware.”
The offer was signed by “Your favourite restaurant” along with a clip to back up the claim.
What is Bichette’s favourite restaurant?
During an interview in August, Bichette gave a shoutout to Animl when asked about his top dining spot in the city.
“There’s a new restaurant named Animl,” he said. ”It’s really good, I love it.”
While Bichette is sure to cash in big time in free agency — he reportedly is looking for a long-term deal worth $300 million — there’s no harm in saving a bit of cash dining out.
Eating at Animl isn’t inexpensive either, with their “signature cuts” ranging from $68 for a 6-oz petite filet to $275 for a massive 40-oz porterhouse.