What a difference a year makes. Last season, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette endured a nightmare campaign (.225 average, .598 OPS). This season? He’s slashing .307/.352/.477 with 177 hits, 42 doubles, and 18 home runs, leading the league in hits and proving once again he’s a premier offensive shortstop. As Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors noted, “If he sustains his absurd summer production… he could push for $200M or more.”

Bichette’s remarkable turnaround has not only elevated the Blue Jays’ fortunes but also transformed the free agent landscape, prompting rival teams to closely monitor his situation as the offseason approaches.

The Bronx Bombers have a clear need at shortstop, as the team’s “Anthony Volpe experiment has sufficiently fizzled out,” according to Christopher Kline of Fansided. That failure makes the Jays’ shortstop, Bo Bichette, suddenly a perfect Yankees target to stabilize the left side of the infield beside Ryan McMahon.

Bichette’s bat-to-ball skill and aversion to strikeouts perfectly suit Yankee Stadium’s dimensions, amplifying his value to New York. “He can take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium without falling victim to the extended cold spells that still plague Volpe,” Kline wrote. Well, his presence would certainly deepen the lineup, supporting Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm.

In addition, signing Bichette would strategically weaken a division rival. Kline noted, “If there’s still any part of him that is dissatisfied with the state of affairs in Toronto—this time last season, there were reports of Bichette’s discontentment in the clubhouse—what better organization is there to author his second chapter with than the Yankees?”

But the West Coast presents the Yankees’ biggest challenge: the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kline described their “resources as endless,” noting that they “set their sights on just about any available star.” The Dodgers could move Mookie Betts to left and slot Bichette at shortstop, bringing him into an infield already featuring Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Ha-Seong Kim.

As the league’s payroll leader, the Dodgers remain a looming threat in star chases. Kline concluded, “Nobody wants to see the Dodgers keep stockpiling stars… and… Starting games with Ohtani, Freeman, Bichette and Betts is not fair, but the Dodgers don’t care about ‘fair.’ They care about winning.” This leaves the Yankees facing a formidable obstacle if they hope to land Bichette.

Nevertheless, the competition for Bichette extends beyond just the Dodgers and Yankees, with several other teams emerging as serious contenders.

Multiple Contenders Emerge in Bo Bichette Free Agency Chase

Just before signing infielder Ha-Seong Kim on waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves seemed like a top contender for Bichette. However, the market remains deep with potential suitors.

The Seattle Mariners are closely monitoring Bichette’s free agency. With recent trades for Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor, the Mariners could emerge as a dark horse candidate ready to bolster their lineup and set the table for sluggers like Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez.

Another intriguing dark horse is the Detroit Tigers. Last year, they made a strong push for Alex Bregman in free agency and are expected to pursue Bichette similarly this season. At 27, Bichette is four years younger than Bregman, and his elite contact hitting could thrive in the Tigers’ expansive Comerica Park, lining up in front of offensive talents like Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, and Spencer Torkelson.

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Of course, there’s always the possibility that Bichette remains with Toronto. While last year’s rumors suggested he might leave, the Blue Jays currently lead the AL East, and Bichette leads the team with 177 hits. That previous discontent has all but disappeared. Moreover, Bichette has publicly expressed a desire to finish his career alongside his close friend Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who signed a $500 million contract last April.

But baseball remains wonderfully unpredictable. Just last year, few anticipated Juan Soto stealing 27 bases for the Mets this season, a testament to the game’s constant surprises. In this sport, outcomes defy expectations, and anything can—and often does—happen. Bichette’s free agency saga will be no different, promising a thrilling chapter that keeps fans and teams alike on edge.