BO BICHETTE PREDICTED TO LEAVE BLUE JAYS FOR NEEDY NL CONTENDER
Bo Bichette is one of the best remaining free agents and is expected to have plenty of options. Many teams have been linked to him, including the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bichette has noted that he wants to stay in Toronto and continue playing alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, the Blue Jays are reportedly pursuing Kyle Tucker, and paying him could make it difficult to retain Bichette. MLB insider Jon Morosi predicted Tucker would sign with the Blue Jays and that Bichette would leave for the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves have a roster full of All-Stars and should be considered contenders in the National League. However, they have one glaring hole on their roster, and it’s at shortstop. The Braves thought Orlando Arcia could be their future at the position after an All-Star season in 2023. However, he declined and the Braves moved on from him.
The Braves picked up Ha-Seong Kim in the middle of the season this year and he was a solid option. However, he is a free agent and the Braves could see that as an opportunity to get even better.
Earlier this offseason, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that team president Terry McGuirk told shareholders that the Braves planned on being a top-five team in terms of payroll. That would mean at least a $50 million increase in payroll. The Braves have already signed Mike Yastrzemski, Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suárez this winter.
The three will make a combined $38 million next season, according to Spotrac. Adding Bichette will significantly increase payroll, as his next deal could be over $200 million in total value. However, he would be worth it.
He is not a great defender. In fact, he is among the worst defensive shortstops in baseball. However, the Braves could move Ozzie Albies to shortstop, the position he played a majority of his time as a prospect. Bichette is a two-time All-Star and has led the American League in hits twice. Adding him to a lineup that features Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Drake Baldwin, Albies and Jurickson Profar could be great.
More MLB: Cubs Cut Ties With $1.05 Million 100 MPH Second-Round Lefty
Related Articles
2025-12-15T18:33:40Z