The Toronto Blue Jays have reached their fork in the road. Should they sign Kyle Tucker to a massive $400 million haul, or keep World Series hero Bo Bichette under contract for far less than that? It was Bichette's homer in Game 7 that should've put the Los Angeles Dodgers away, and provided Toronto their first World Series in over 30 years.
Instead, disaster struck. Bichette's last game in a Blue Jays uniform could be utterly tragic if they don't bring him back, but it's a very real possibility. Bichette is a good player and one of the best middle infielders available in free agency. It's why the latest developments could put the Blue Jays at a crossroads.
Yankees predicted to sign Bo Bichette – but is he a good fit?
They may not want to admit it, but the New York Yankees don't have a long-term answer at shortstop, second base or third base. Anthony Volpe, once the team's top prospect and untouchable in trade talks, has been abysmal offensively for the better part of two full years. Ryan McMahon was acquired from the Colorado Rockies and does offer the Yankees some flexibility, but he also had an OPS under .700 last season. And, as productive as Jazz Chisholm can be at second, he's also been shopped in trade rumors this winter. Chisholm is entering his final season under contract in 2026.
Thus, you can understand the Yankees dilemma. Unfortunately for the fanbase, Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner don't share their same urgency. There's no guarantee this front office spends as it has in years past beyond bringing back, say, Cody Bellinger via free agency. That won't be enough to catch the Blue Jays or keep up with the Red Sox. Ethan Hyatt of Just Baseball has a solution: just sign Bichette.
While I'd still consider it a longshot for the Yankees to poach Bichette away from their division rival, ESPN projects the 28-year-old infielder to receive a five-year, $150 million deal in free agency. That's well within the Yankees price range, and gifts them one of the few sure bets in this market, despite his injury history.
Blue Jays got some help from old friend Alex Anthopoulos
Bichette has a number of suitors in free agency, but one of them is not the Atlanta Braves – at least not anymore, it would seem. The Braves re-signed gold glove shortstop Ha-Seong Kim on Monday to a one-year deal. Kim doesn't offer the same kind of power as Bichette at the dish, but he's a safe choice and played well in Atlanta at the tail end of last season.
"This contract reflects our belief in him, and he's a much better player," Anthopoulos said. "We think we've got a very good chance to get the guy he was with San Diego."
From 2021-24, Kim never had a bWAR shy of 2.1 with the Padres, which came in his rookie season. In 2022 and 2023, Kim combined for over 10 bWAR, surpassing the 5.0 bWAR marker in each season.
For the Blue Jays, this is good news. Anthopoulos was the general manager of the Blue Jays when Bichette was drafted. The two have a connection that Anthopoulos could've used to his advantage. Instead, the Braves went with a cheaper option, and left Bichette available for the taking. Toronto, still in talks with Bichette and Kyle Tucker, will likely have to choose between the two this winter.
Don't put it past the Dodgers to chase Bo Bichette
If we've learned anything about the Dodgers the past few winters, it's to never count them out for any of the top free agents available on the market. Los Angeles swooped in, seemingly out of nowhere, to sign former Mets closer Edwin Diaz to a three-year deal at the Winter Meetings. They are not done, and at the very least exist to drive Bichette's price up.
“They still need lineup help. Their lineup was kind of hot and cold last year.”@castrovince explains why Bo Bichette should be on the Dodgers' wish list. pic.twitter.com/vlcYL9JEON
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 16, 2025
The Dodgers interest in Bichette really depends on how they plan on using Mookie Betts in the short term. Betts is slotted as Los Angeles' everyday shortstop, but we all know he's a far superior talent in the outfield. Just because Betts can play shortstop doesn't mean he should. His range isn't what it once was. Adding Bichette to play the position everyday could be a short-term solution to the Dodgers problem.
Long term, Bichette does not project as an everyday shortstop. His range is already decreasing, much like Betts. This also might not be a problem in LA, as Max Muncy's contract is up at the end of the 2026 season.
Signing Bichette allows the Dodgers to get younger, and take a direct swipe at the Blue Jays, an American League foe that isn't going away anytime soon.