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Essentials Inside The Story

  • Blue Jays' chase for Bo Bichette hears a new name for replacement
  • Can anyone really substitute for the homegrown shortstop?
  • Dodgers come up as the top receivers for Bichette

The Toronto Blue Jays, hell-bent on breaking their three-decade-old curse, have been the spenders this offseason. But while they’ve already made some big swings, their fan-favorite two-time All-Star shortstop, Bo Bichette, remains unsigned. If the homegrown talent ultimately leaves, Ross Atkins might need another name to chase. According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, she has one perfect fit. 

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In her latest hypothetical proposition, Miller claims that the Nationals are willing to part ways with their star shortstop, CJ Abrams. With that, the Toronto Blue Jays send four prospects—Ricky Tiedemann, Arjun Nimmala, RJ Schreck, and Charles McAdoo—to Washington in exchange for Abrams.

Four top-30 prospects are not something that teams casually give up for one player. However, this is the cost of doing business when chasing a young and controllable All-Star.

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While Abrams is not a replacement for Bo Bichette, he is also not some stopgap. He made the All-Star team and hit 19 home runs last season. He also stole bases at will and posted an OPS hovering around league average or even better.

Even financially, the appeal seems to be obvious.

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He would only cost a fraction of what Bichette commands on the open market. Plus, he would give Jays multiple years of control. So, for a front office that’s focused on winning now without blowing past the future flexibility, this matters.

As far as the defensive aspect goes, Abrams doesn’t change the conversation, but neither did Bichette. Toronto could get creative, maybe slide Abrams to second base and keep Andrés Giménez at short—at least for now.

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Of course, that also opens a can of worms, given that Gimenez’s contract is not tiny. Any scenario where the Jays land Abrams, keep Bichette, and chase someone like Kyle Tucker feels more fantasy world than reality now.

Still, the reality of Bichette leaving is getting real by the moment. And Jays won’t be waiting around.

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Will Toronto Blue Jays’ Bichette be yet another Dodger heist?

Doesn’t the Bo Bichette situation with Toronto remind you of Freddie Freeman and Edwin Diaz? Both their past teams lowballed them, and then the Dodgers saw an opening and scooped them. If you believe insiders, this might be happening again.

Now Bichette’s name has been connected to various teams. It was connected to the Braves before they pivoted to Ha Seong Kim. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox and Yankees are lurking, too. But the Dodgers seem to be the biggest rival in the spotlight right now.

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From the game viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers, for all their star power, were offensively inconsistent last season. Beyond their headliners, the lineup ran hot and cold. Second base mostly did not click. This is where Bichette could play the part. Put him at second base, and suddenly Tommy Edman becomes sharp again. Edman played 66 games at second base last year but also logged time at third and in center field. With Bo handling the infield, Edman could help stabilize the outfield both defensively and offensively.

For the Jays fans, this news would sting because the Dodgers yesterday beat the Jays to Edwin Diaz. Now they are also in the Kyle Tucker run, with reports suggesting that a shorter high-AVV deal would be on the table, something that the former Cub is looking for.

While it remains to be seen if LA will pull the trigger, even the idea of them going for Bichette should make the Jays uncomfortable.

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