The Blue Jays are taking commerce calls on Bo Bichette, writes Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. Whereas Rosenthal cautions that Toronto just isn’t actively buying their shortstop, he studies that the Jays are prepared to deal Bichette if one other membership meets a lofty asking worth.
That’s a change from final month. On the GM Conferences in early November, normal supervisor Ross Atkins informed Jon Morosi of the MLB Community that any commerce calls relating to Bichette could be “a straightforward no.” When a GM publicly shoots down commerce rumors relating to a participant to that extent, they hardly ever reverse course.
The most important exception lately got here when Juan Soto was a Nationwide. Washington GM Mike Rizzo stated in June 2022 that the workforce was “not buying and selling” the outfielder. Two months later, Soto was a Padre. Circumstances modified within the interim, as Soto rejected a $440MM extension provide a pair weeks earlier than the deadline. (That call proved sensible contemplating the sum of money he landed in free company two and a half years later.)
Toronto’s circumstances have additionally modified since Atkins stated he wouldn’t think about a Bichette deal. The Jays acquired Andrés Giménez from the Guardians final week, taking over almost $100MM on his five-year contract to take action. Giménez is the sport’s greatest defensive second baseman. He has gained the AL Gold Glove award on the keystone three years operating. He got here up as a shortstop prospect and didn’t totally transfer off that place till 2023.
Giménez has elite vary, positive palms, and above-average arm power. He may in all probability deal with shortstop and should properly stay a plus defender there. That appeared like Toronto’s long-term plan after they acquired him. Giménez would play second base for his first season with the Jays, then kick over to shortstop as soon as Bichette hit free company subsequent winter.
That also appears the likeliest end result. Nevertheless, Rosenthal notes that the Jays may deal Bichette whereas signing Alex Bregman to pair with Giménez on the left aspect of the infield. Toronto has come up empty on its pursuit of top-tier free brokers to date. They’re amongst 4 to 6 groups which might be reportedly within the combine on Bregman, who is well the most effective unsigned place participant. To be clear, Rosenthal didn’t characterize a Bichette commerce as being conditional on the Jays signing Bregman. He merely floated that as one potential sequence of outcomes.
The Jays have Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Giménez, and Bichette lined up at three infield spots. Third base is much less settled. Toronto has a set of higher degree infielders who’re both mild on MLB expertise or mission as utility varieties. Ernie Clement would in all probability get the majority of the enjoying time. Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger, Will Wagner and Leo Jiménez may additionally vie for reps.
That’s not a bunch that’d cease the Jays from including Bregman. They’d have room on the roster for the star third baseman even when they maintain Bichette. Dealing their shortstop would open spending room for the upcoming season whereas doubtlessly bringing again MLB-ready outfield or pitching expertise. Bichette is underneath contract for $16.5MM in his remaining 12 months of membership management.
On the similar time, groups might be reluctant to bundle important expertise after the worst season of Bichette’s profession. He’s coming off a dismal .225/.277/.322 displaying over 336 plate appearances. He landed on the injured checklist thrice and solely appeared in half the workforce’s video games. A pair of proper calf strains had been the most important subject. He additionally broke his proper center finger late within the 12 months and required minor surgical procedure.
That horrible season got here out of nowhere. Bichette has in any other case been one of many league’s greatest center infielders since he debuted in 2019. He’d hit above .290 and reached 20 homers in every of his first three full seasons. Bichette went into the ’24 marketing campaign with a profession .299/.340/.487 slash line in additional than 2300 plate appearances. He garnered down poll MVP votes annually between 2021-23.
Groups don’t know which model of Bichette they’ll get in 2025. That’s additionally true of the Jays, who’re cautious of promoting low on a star expertise. Toronto has by no means appeared optimistic about their likelihood of signing him past subsequent season, however they’re going into ’25 with the hope of competing. Buying and selling a possible All-Star shortstop for prospects wouldn’t align with that aim. In the event that they fall out of the race, they might market him on the deadline. One of the best situation (in need of an extension) could be a rebound 12 months from Bichette that helps to maintain Toronto in rivalry and permits them to make a qualifying provide subsequent winter.
The Jays’ willingness to listen to groups out on Bichette — even when an offseason commerce stays unlikely — boosts a really skinny shortstop market. Willy Adames was the highest free agent. He went to the Giants, the workforce with the clearest mixture of positional want and payroll flexibility. Ha-Seong Kim, who’s recovering from labrum surgical procedure that’ll drive him to start the season on the injured checklist, is the one different potential common on the open market. There aren’t many apparent commerce candidates. The Braves stand out because the contender with the most important query at shortstop. The Tigers, Angels, Mariners, Padres and Pirates may additionally stand to improve at the least one center infield place (although the ultimate three golf equipment may every balk on the $16.5MM worth level).
