Why Bo Bichette remains unsigned as the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox make their moves

The free-agent market for offensive players is crawling along, with guys like Bichette, Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman, and a few others still up for grabs. Not much has happened overall, but it wouldn't shock anyone if Bellinger and Bregman ended up being the next big signings.

The market for free-agent hitters saw a short slowdown at the top due to the recent signings of older players such as Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, causing agents to reevaluate their approaches for more balanced players like Bichette. An agent not connected to Bichette stated, "It's the first thing I'm doing if I'm in the room... Reminding everyone how old those guys are and what my player can do that they can't," When comparing younger, more adaptable players to older signings like Schwarber and Alonso, it's important to note that teams don't see Bichette as a long-term shortstop, or even for 2026, because his defensive skills are slipping.

Why the Toronto Blue Jays remain the natural fit for Bo Bichette

When Bichette thinks of teams, the Toronto Blue Jays are the first that pop into his head because he’s spent his entire career with them and has become a vital player. The Blue Jays are keen to bring him back, and securing him would really position them well for a shot at the World Series next year.

Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez shared on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" that, "I know Bo wants to come back," and he guessed that Bichette might play second base next to Andrés Giménez if he comes back, sticking around Toronto to wrap up his career with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Martinez gave a rating of eight out of ten for the chances of Bichette returning, citing stories from the 2025 World Series run where Bichette showed his wish to stay with the team.


The Blue Jays are throwing around a lot of cash, but they haven't shelled out for Bichette yet since they might be focusing on a $400 million contract for Kyle Tucker first. Even though Bichette is still without a deal, Toronto has managed to sign Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers, and Shane Bieber has opted in for another year.

If the Blue Jays pass on signing Kyle Tucker, it’s pretty likely that Bichette will be back in Toronto, as long as he hasn’t signed elsewhere by that time. They might shift Andrés Giménez to shortstop and have Bichette play second base if he comes back, especially considering Giménez's solid playoff showing at shortstop.

Why the Los Angeles Dodgers remain a serious free-agency threat with interest in Kyle Tucker

The Los Angeles Dodgers always seem like a sneaky team to keep an eye on, especially with their knack for star players and their involvement in nearly every star player's free agency, where they hardly ever miss.

They're looking at Kyle Tucker and might see Bichette as a good match, especially since he's open to playing second base.


Bichette had a brief stint at second base during the 2025 World Series against the Dodgers, and he looked pretty solid in that seven-game stretch, which convinced teams he can handle the position. The Dodgers are seen as a possible fit for Bichette if he makes the switch to second base.

Why the Boston Red Sox turned their attention to Bo Bichette after missing on Kyle Schwarber

The Boston Red Sox have been on the lookout for big names this offseason but missed out on Kyle Schwarber. With Alex Bregman still without a contract, the Red Sox might make a move to snag Bichette from Toronto if they can't land Bregman.

They're seriously looking at Bichette as a potential infield bat after their unsuccessful attempt to sign Bregman. Pundit Jim Bowden, in his piece for The Athletic, mentioned the Red Sox as one of three new potential destinations for Bichette, along with the Giants and Blue Jays.

Bowden stated, “Bichette is only 27 and can play second base, shortstop or third base. He’s led the AL in hits twice already and is a really focused, hard-working player who would become an instant fan favorite in Boston.”

He added, “Fenway Park’s unusual dimensions — with the Green Monster in left and the short porch in right — would benefit Bichette, who uses the whole field well. The Red Sox could make him their everyday third or second baseman.”

The chatter around Bichette wearing a Red Sox jersey is heating up, especially since other options like Bregman, Ketel Marte, Kazuma Okamoto, and Nick Castellanos are running into issues.

The Red Sox are definitely in the running for Bichette, which could have an effect on Alex Bregman's future.

Bo Bichette’s contract projections and future outlook

Bichette's worth is estimated to be similar to the seven-year, $182 million deal that Willy Adames got from the San Francisco Giants, but it might actually be higher. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel recently updated his projection to five years, $150 million for Bichette, based on a long-term contract instead of a shorter one with opt-outs, placing him at No. 7 among free agents.

His market is more lively than it appears, and as the offseason moves along, it will become clearer, with the expectation that he will rank among the top-paid shortstops in baseball.

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