3 players the Cubs must include in any Bo Bichette trade
The Chicago Cubs continue to be linked to just about every big-time player to hit the market, whether it's via trade or free agency. Players like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso have been linked to the team for months, and Bo Bichette is a new player to be connected to the Cubs.
The Cubs being linked to stars makes sense, They have the money available to pay free agents and have the prospect capital to acquire stars in deals. What's strange is the fit with Bo Bichette.
Update on a Bo Bichette trade scenario, per @matt_cozzi. Here’s a point to ponder: How would a Bichette-to-Cubs trade impact the way Ohtani views both of these potential suitors? @MLBNetwork https://t.co/1wp8ddbkw5
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 22, 2023
With the Cubs having Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson locked into their middle infield for the foreseeable future, Chicago would reportedly have Bichette play third base. Bichette ranking in the 31st percentile in arm strength while playing shortstop according to baseball savant makes that fit odd, but with the Cubs apparently being interested in Bichette for over a year now, they seem to be focused on simply acquiring him more than his fit at the hot corner.
A Blue Jays team trying to compete parting with one of, if not their best position player wouldn't make much sense, but with Bichette and fellow star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. just two years away from hitting free agency, it's possible they could look to part with one if they think it's unlikely they sign both. If they were to make the unlikely decision to trade Bichette, they'd ask for an absolute haul. They'd need at least these three players if not more to get a deal done.
Pete Crow-Armstrong
In an ideal world, the Jays acquire a big power bat if they part with Bichette. While Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't that, he can do just about anything else on a baseball field while also sprinkling in at least a bit of pop.
Crow-Armstrong was selected in the first round by the Mets in the 2020 MLB Draft before being shipped to the Cubs in the deal that sent Javier Baez to New York. All Crow-Armstrong has done since is develop, and he now is considered the 12th-best prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline.
Toronto has been looking to do two things the last season. One, get more left-handed. Two, get better defensively and on the basepaths. Acquiring Crow-Armstrong, a left-handed hitter who is considered an elite defender in center field with blazing speed accomplishes both of those with flying colors.
An outfield that consists of Daulton Varsho in left, Crow-Armstrong in center, and George Springer in right would likely be the best defensive trio in the majors. Crow-Armstrong is unlikely to become the hitter Bichette is, but he could be a great get for this Jays team. With Kevin Kiermaier a free agent, Crow-Armstrong could step right in and play center field on Opening Day.