The Los Angeles Dodgers may make their first trip back to the World Series since winning the all in 2020 with only one more victory. But enquiries regarding the 2025 roster will start to surface when their postseason run is over. Could they look to solve their projected shortstop shortage by signing Toronto Blue Jays player Bo Bichette? Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report talked about the “most likely trade” that each MLB team will make this winter. According to him, Bichette has the best chance of being dealt by Toronto before Opening Day in March of next year.
“Thanks to Bob Nightengale of USA Today for his reporting, there is no need for speculation in this case either,” Rymer remarked. In August, he stated that Bo Bichette “has no plans” to remain a free agency after the 2025 campaign and that the Blue Jays are “expected to entertain trade offers.” In fact, by just using his existing deal to sell out his arbitration years, he may have hinted as much.
Bichette had a difficult 2024 campaign with the Blue Jays. Only 81 games were played by him since he joined the Blue Jays as their starting shortstop in 2021, and he was placed on the injured list several times. In 336 plate appearances, the 26-year-old recorded a.225/.277/.322 line with four home runs, sixteen doubles, 31 RBI, and 29 runs scored. Despite those unremarkable results, Bichette’s 2021–2023 play at shortstop gave him a history of above-average offence. In 1,988 plate appearances, he slashed.298/.339/.476 and was a two-time All-Star. Every season, Bichette played in at least 135 games and averaged 26 home runs, 37 doubles, 96 RBI, and 101 runs scored.
According to Spotrac, he has a three-year, $33.6 million contract, which ends next year. In 2025, he will make $17.5 million. The following winter, he will become a free agent. Los Angeles struggled to find a shortstop during the regular season. They were considered a landing spot for Bichette prior to the trade deadline. It became so prevalent that trades that would have sent the shortstop to Hollywood were constantly being floated.After the playoffs, everything will rely on the Dodgers’ priorities during the winter. But Bichette is a clear target due to his contract predicament and his performance.
With an eye towards making the playoffs for the third consecutive season, Toronto entered 2024. They had a dismal 74-88 record and were relegated to the American League East basement. They’re going into the winter “desperate to contend again next season and willing to spend big-big money in the offseason to improve their roster,” an unidentified player reportedly told NJ.com’s Randy Miller on October 9. Making a “astronomical offer” to free-agent outfielder Juan Soto may be a part of that strategy. It appears like their battle with the New York Yankees and the New York Mets will be an uphill one. They have, nevertheless, demonstrated a willingness to part with an absurd sum of money for a player they desire.
Last winter, Toronto finished just behind the Dodgers in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. They him the same $700 million he eventually signed for in LA. Trading away Bichette would only save them about $18 million. Every little bit will help — the bidding for Soto could easily reach $600 million.
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