Circumstances can change quickly in Major League Baseball.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost All Star shortstop Mookie Betts broke his left hand when he was hit by a pitch.
Circumstances changed for the Dodgers. Quickly.
The Toronto Blue Jays have said publicly they would not trade either Bo Bichette or Vlad Guerrero Jr.
Given the Dodgers need for a shortstop, might Toronto change their mind about not trading Bichette?
Does this new Dodgers circumstance change the Blue Jays trading plans?
The Blue Jays have hovered around .500 in an American League East Division that features the dynamic New York Yankees and surging Baltimore Orioles.
Quite simply, the Blue Jays were expected to be much better.
The pitching hasn’t been great, but it’s good. The offense has struggled.
Is this the time to trade a marquee player like Bichette?
The answer from this old scout? Yes. Trade Bo Bichette sooner than later. And save the money a contract extension will cost.
As CBS.com indicated, it appears the Blue Jays hope to extend both Bichette and Guerrero Jr. rather than trade them.
About Trading Bo Bichette:
Blue Jays fans have come to expect more than what they are seeing this season from Bo Bichette.
The right-handed hitting Bichette, 26, is coming off an All Star 2023 season when he hit .306. Bichette hit 20 home runs last season, four fewer than his 2023 year, but he remained credible at the plate.
Bichette drove in 73 runs last year. While he may not have been busting down fences, Bichette was still credible enough to illicit fear in opposing pitchers.
Fast forward to this season. Bichette is struggling. He’s hitting just .237, with four home runs, and 28 RBIs in 276 plate appearances.
Bichette is working on a three-year, $33.6 million contract he signed in 2023.
For a player of his stature, Bichette’s $12,083,333 salary is a good value
Things get a bit more dicey next year, when Bichette is to be paid $17,583,333 in his final season before being eligible for free agency.
Is this the time to trade Bichette? Is his offensive decline worrisome enough to trade his contract and maximize a player return?
For this scout, the question is easily answered.
The Los Angeles Dodgers need a shortstop.
Enter Bo Bichette:
Bo Bichette would be an upgrade at shortstop for a Dodgers team that will have to rely on utility players until Betts returns.
Or the Dodgers can make a trade.
How would the Blue Jays replace Bichette?
Much depends upon how the Blue Jays front office evaluates the team’s chances of entering the postseason.
Can the Blue Jays win a wild card spot?
Maybe this is the time to look at prospect infielders Orelvis Martinez, or Leo Jimenez. Can either perform yet at the big league level? Or maybe they give Isiah Kiner-Falefa more playing time at shortstop.
Bichette is seeing a steady diet of inside pitches, and he has to make adjustments to bring his hands in for a solid swing.
To this writer, Bichette is still a very dangerous hitter.
Taking the ball to the opposite field, and hitting the right/center field gap, Bichette can be a very tough out.
At this time, Bichette is dealing with right calf soreness. Hopefully, it won’t linger, and he is still an attractive trade chip. Especially for the Dodgers.
This is the right time to strike a specific deal for Bo Bichette with a specific team. The Los Angeles Dodgers.
This is a time when the Dodgers seem a bit vulnerable, and may be willing to offer a package for Bo Bichette the Blue Jays can’t refuse.
About Trading Vladimir Guerrero Jr.:
Vlad Guerrero Jr. is playing on a $19.9 million contract. He enters his final year of arbitration eligibility at the end of the year.
Like the Blue Jays have stated publicly, this old scout would decline the temptation to trade one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.
Recently, Guerrero Jr. has shown more power, much more confidence, and better results offensively.
Like Bichette, Guerrero Jr. can take the ball to the opposite field, and it is just a matter of time when his line drives make it over the fence. Anywhere in the park, from foul line to foul line.
Guerrero Jr. is only 25 -years-old. What he has accomplished in parts of six seasons is remarkable.
Guerrero Jr. has been an All Star three times.
Guerrero Jr. would be coveted by teams looking for a slugger. And that’s what he is. Vlad Guerrero is a slugger. And sluggers are coveted.
So no, this writer would not trade Vlad Guerrero Jr. Stay the course. Be patient
Conclusions:
To this scout, it makes sense to trade Bo Bichette. Even in a down offensive year. Who knows, he may get worse in the future.
It would be a huge risk to extend Bichette on a long-term, expensive contract and hope that he earns his keep.
It is better to gain value in a trade now, than regret the opportunity to improve the overall club by trading Bichette.
The risk in extending Bichette seems much greater than the potential reward.
The Los Angeles Dodgers may come calling for Bo Bichette.
The Blue Jays should say yes. If the return improves the club.