Kevin Pillar outlines what it will take for Toronto Blue Jays to sign Bo Bichette
Photo credit: https://www.lionelwong.com
Former Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder Kevin Pillar shares what he thinks it will take for a Bo Bichette reunion with Canada's team.
Toronto is in need of a bat, and the Blue Jays have been interested in the likes of Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker.
MLB insider Jon Heyman did a live stream on Bleacher Report and predicted the Blue Jays will re-sign Bichette.
«I'm going to say he sticks with Toronto,» Heyman said on Tuesday. «There hasn't been a lot of reporting on that. Certainly, the Red Sox are a possibility if he does not end up with Toronto. To me, it's a marriage that works, so I think Toronto.»
According to former Blue Jay and now Foul Territory Podcast host Kevin Pillar, if Toronto wants to sign Bichette, they'll have to sign him as a shortstop to a long-term deal.
Blue Jays need to pay Bo Bichette shortstop money, even if they plan on playing him at second base
"I think money talks. I think you have to pay him as a shortstop. If you sign him as a shortstop to play second base in terms of shortstop money, I don't think there is a big deal with position. You're paying him to step up to home plate 600 times a year, you can pencil him in for a .300 average, close to 200 hits, and he's going to drive in 100 runs. You're trying to predict what the player is going to do on the field, but no one knows what the future holds. Really you are paying someone for what they have done in the past. And what he has done in the past is play shortstop. So you have to pay him as a shortstop. Which if the Blue Jays are willing to do and move hime to second base, they'll do it."
It is certainly a marriage that has worked. Bichette has publicly stated that he wants to stay in Toronto and continue playing alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Outside of 2024, he has been one of the Blue Jays' best, most consistent players.
Bichette does not have elite home run numbers like Willy Adames, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager or other star shortstops.
He does have one 29-homer season to his name, and he popped at least 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons at one point, but his game is built around his ability to put the ball in play.
Bichette is a two-time All-Star and one of the best hitters in the game.
Bichette does not strike out a ton and has a .294 career batting average. He has led the American League in hits twice and finished last season with 181 hits.
Before his knee injury in September, he was leading all of baseball in hits. His defense at shortstop is subpar, but the Blue Jays could consider moving him to second base. He played there during the World Series, and looked fine.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 24 | 186 ANSWERS Kevin Pillar outlines what it will take for Toronto Blue Jays to sign Bo Bichette If the Toronto Blue Jays re-sign Bo Bichette will he play shortstop or second base? | ||
| Shortstop | 31 | 16.7 % |
| Second base | 155 | 83.3 % |
| List of polls | ||