Cody Snavely
According to MLB.com’s Juan Toribio, the Dodgers will be monitoring the market for Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette.
The Dodgers, however, will continue to monitor the trade market for a shortstop, mainly Milwaukee’s Willy Adames and Toronto’s Bo Bichette.
via Juan Toribio MLB.com
In what can be seen in many ways as a throwaway line in terms of offseason news, the Dodgers have been linked to an all-star shortstop that not many thought was even available. The first question we should ask ourselves is if Bichette is even available or if it is all smoke and mirrors. The Blue Jays have made the postseason three times since 2020, only missing in 2021, and that core of players is set to remain largely intact for 2024. However, with a competitive division such as the AL East, the Blue Jays could begin looking to retool for the future, and the most valuable player on their team is Bo Bichette.
Last February, the Blue Jays and Bichette agreed on a three-year contract for 33.6 million dollars, essentially buying out his arbitration years. Bichette is set to be a free agent after the 2025 season, adding more value to the shortstop, who has been one of the better offensive players at his position. Bichette had 175 hits in 2023 with 20 HR, .304 BA, .814 OPS, 123 OPS+. What drags Bichette down is his defense, as, throughout his career, he has piled up a -6 DRS, but in 2023, he made great strides, posting his best numbers at SS in his career with +5 DRS.
Why is LA interested?
The Dodger’s need for a shortstop was a big topic last winter, with many around the league not set on Gavin Lux taking over the role. However, those same questions and rumors came again after Lux tore his ACL, ending his 2023 season. Even with Lux returning for 2024 and all signs pointing to him being ready by spring, the team could still upgrade the position if they are not sold on him in the long term.
The Dodgers had Corey Seager on the team as their everyday shortstop from late 2015 to 2021. They traded for Trea Turner in 2021, and he took the starting role in 2022; however, since then, it has been a revolving door at the position, with even Mookie Betts taking a crack at it during the early parts of 2023. The Dodgers need consistency at the position, and trading for Bo Bichette, regarded as one of the best in the league, would be a great start to that equation since he is under control for two full seasons.
What would it cost?
To put it bluntly, the potential trade cost of one Bo Bichette would be high. The Blue Jays do not need to trade the star unless they are blown away with an offer they can’t refuse. As mentioned, Bichette is still under control for two more seasons, and according to Baseball Trade Value, he has an estimated value of 55.1 million. The Dodgers would need to send a variety of major league and minor league talent just for Bichette alone.
If the Blue Jays are talking about rebuilding or retooling, the Dodgers could realistically attach one of the Blue Jays’ “bad” contracts to Chris Bassitt, who is due 42 million over the next two years. One potential trade idea is:
Blue Jays Receive: RHP Gavin Stone, 2B Michael Busch, OF Andy Pages
Dodgers Receive: SS Bo Bichette, RHP Chris Bassitt
This potential trade is just barely meeting equal value on Baseball Trade Values, and with the Blue Jays in no position to trade Bichette, it will likely cost a bit more, which is unlikely for the Dodgers to give in due to their significant need in starting pitching elsewhere.
Conclusion
The Dodgers’ most significant need this offseason is pitching, which cannot be overstated. With the team also in on the Ohtani sweepstakes, the Dodgers will likely miss out on the position player trade market, and I find it very unlikely that the Blue Jays will move on from Bichette this winter; however, when there is smoke, there could be fire.
