The Toronto Blue Jays could be the top suitor for free agent shortstop Bo Bichette.
Toronto has been looking to add a bat, and the Blue Jays have been linked to Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman, among others. Yet, the Blue Jays’ division rival in the Boston Red Sox, has also shown interest in stealing Bichette.
Bichette leaving Toronto for a division rival would be a tough blow. But, MLB insider Jon Heyman believes the Red Sox’s interest in Bichette is fading as Boston views him as a backup plan.
“Boston is a possibility for Bichette as well, but he seems like a fallback to them right now,” Heyman said on a Bleacher Report livestream on Monday. “Bregman is probably their top choice. They’ve done a lot of (Ketel) Marte talking, but certainly, Boston is a possibility for Bichette as well.”
Bichette being a fallback option for the Red Sox is good news for the Blue Jays, as it could lead to Toronto re-signing the star shortstop. Bichette has spent his entire career with Toronto and has been a key part of its roster for years, so returning to the Blue Jays does make sense.
Bichette is a two-time MLB All-Star. He hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs as he missed most of September due to an injury.
Insider Continues to Believe Blue Jays Will Land Bichette
Although Toronto didn’t extend Bichette during the season, Heyman still believes the star hitter will return to the Blue Jays.
During his live stream last week, Heyman expected that Bichette would re-sign with the Blue Jays.
“I’m going to say he sticks with Toronto,” Heyman said on Dec. 22. “There hasn’t been a lot of reporting on that. Certainly, the Red Sox are a possibility if he does not end up with Toronto. To me, it’s a marriage that works, so I think Toronto.”
Bichette said after the World Series that he wants to return to Toronto and was hopeful a deal would get done. With his market slow-moving, it could help him return to the Blue Jays, potentially on a short-term deal to reset his market.
Bichette has led the AL in hits twice in his career.
Owner Says Toronto is ‘Home’ for Bichette
As Bichette’s free agency continues, the Blue Jays owner sent a clear message to the team.
Edward Rogers, the owner of the Blue Jays, called Toronto home for Bichette and admits he’s hopeful the star hitter would return.
“Bo has been a part of this team throughout his career. It’s home for him. I’m hopeful we have the best, most competitive team we can,” Rogers said to Toronto Star’s Gregor Chisholm. “I’m not part of that decision-making. That’s (general manager) Ross (Atkins) and Mark. We’re working hard to try to figure that out.”
Rogers knows how beloved Bichette is and believes the star hitter is still a key part of the roster.
“I’d say what we saw through the playoffs was that Bo performed well through the World Series run,” Rogers said. “But so many of our players came up, and I find teams that have deep bonds, obviously the stars shine, but a lot of other people need to shine to be a competitive team and we have amazing depth.”
Whether or not Bichette will re-sign with the Blue Jays is to be seen.
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