According to a recent report from Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report, the New York Yankees are emerging as legitimate contenders to acquire Bo Bichette in free agency. Though the Yankees middle infield is relatively deep with Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisolm, and Jose Caballero, Bichette would be a massive splash and an upgrade over any of the three.
Bichette is one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this offseason, though his value has been the big hold-up for teams looking into him. Teams looking to sign him want him to transition to second base from shortstop; second baseman carry lower values, meaning it’s likely Bichette and prospective teams haven’t been able to find common ground as he’s looking to get paid as a shortstop.
The longer this drags out, the more likely it is Bichette ends up back with Toronto on a short-term deal, as was the case with Pete Alonso re-signing with the Mets last winter,” Miller wrote. “Watch out for the Yankees, though. They only have Jazz Chisholm Jr. under contract for one more year, and there have been reports that teams have been asking what it would take for them to give him up. If they sign Bichette, they could start really listening on those Chisholm offers.”
Bichette’s Fit In New York
Bichette would be an absolute slam dunk for the Yankees. Sure, defensively he’s a moderate downgrade from whoever they’d have at second base or shortstop otherwise, but his bat is elite.
A middle of the lineup that features a Bichette-Aaron Judge combo at two and three would be formidable. Signing Bichette would give New York a deeper lineup in an AL East that promises to be a powerhouse this year with Toronto and Baltimore spending heavy and Boston building a strong core.
His bat would also replace Cody Bellinger in the lineup, should he sign elsewhere, which looks likely as of late December.
Yankees’ Infield With Bichette: What Would It Look Like?
With Anthony Volpe and Jose Caballero entering arbitration through the next few years, signing Bichette long term would sure up the infield for the foreseeable future, whether he’s at shortstop or second base.
Jazz Chisolm could certainly be moved as he enters the final year of his deal in New York, which would free up the second base position and allow Volpe and Caballero to compete for the shortstop position. New York has Ryan McMahon under contract through 2027, so they’re set at third base for two more years.
If New York signed Bichette and moved on from Chisolm, likely for pitching depth, it would come down to Caballero and Volpe. First, the Yankees would have to decide if they like Bichette more at short or second. Based on that decision, they’d evaluate Volpe and Caballero at both positions and see who would be more valuable to keep around long term.
They could, of course, keep both for depth purposes, but both may be looking for big paydays in the near future, which is where the decision to move on from one of them would come into play.
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