The Dodgers have openly – and repeatedly – stated that 32-year-old future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts will be their regular shortstop in 2025.
Pardon my skepticism, but after closely following MLB over the last seven decades, similar commitments have been made and then forgotten when team circumstances change; unexpected events that make the original plan irrelevant. Perhaps you remember one year ago when the Dodgers were unwavering in their commitment that Gavin Lux would be their starting shortstop in 2024.
Fact is, roster decisions are fluid. Injuries happen, players play themselves out of positions that were theirs to lose, maybe a greater need for a player elsewhere on the field, or a previously unavailable player goes on the market for the right trade package. Stuff happens.
The Toronto Blue Jays recently told the baseball world that Bo Bichette, their 26-year-old two-time All-Star shortstop, was a core piece of the team’s future and would not be traded. Now, after acquiring second baseman/shortstop Andrés Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, the team is already listening to offers for Bichette.
(ESPN).
In deed, the addition of Giménez, the proud owner of a Platinum Glove, two Gold Gloves, and an All-Star middle infielder in 2022, has changed the Blue Jays roster. Giménez is under team control through the 2030 season, whereas Bichette will be a free agent after 2025. Things change. Stuff happens.
Should the Dodgers check-in with Toronto to gauge the Blue Jays desired return for Bichette? They would be foolish not to make a query and see if there is a good match for a significant trade. 2024 was a difficult year for Bichette. Injuries limited him to 81 games and his 71 wRC+ (29% below ML average) was roughly 50 percentage points below his lifetime average. But a healthy Bo Bichette should return to his previous norms, including above average fielding in the six hole.
(David Richard)
Trading for Bichette would be an immediate upgrade to shortstop and Betts would shift to the less demanding second base position. Remembering that Bichette may be a one-year rental, what package of players might the Dodgers offer the Blue Jays? Gavin Lux seems like a logical part of a trade, becoming the Jays starter at second base along side Giménez at shortstop. Toronto is in need of pitching help, so right-handers Ryan Brasier and Landon Knack might go to Canada.
Bichette might be a one-year rental to help the team win the 2025 World Championship, or he and the Dodgers could agree on a contract extension well beyond 2025 and future championships.
What do you think Dodgers fans? Should the team Go for Bo?
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