When the offseason began, Bo Bichette was the consensus No. 1 choice among all available shortstops, setting him up for a potential bidding war between clubs in need at that position.
As we head toward January, things have changed a bit. Namely the way Bichette is marketing himself.
According to sources, the two-time All-Star has let potential suitors know that he is ready, willing and able to move to second base, the position he played for the first time in his big-league career during this year’s World Series.
“It seems like the message has gotten through to him that teams don’t view him as a shortstop in the long-term – or maybe even in 2026,” one source said. “His willingness to change positions can only help him in the market.”
Bichette posted a -13 Outs Above Average last season, tying him with J.P. Crawford for last place among all shortstops. His -28 OAA over the past five years is the fourth-worst mark among shortstops.
As my colleague Mike Petriello noted earlier this month, Bichette may be following the path Marcus Semien took in free agency five years ago. Semien joined the Blue Jays on a one-year deal in 2021, moving from shortstop to second base, ironically, to play next to Bichette. Semien thrived at second base that year, landing a seven-year, $175 million free-agent deal with the Rangers after that season.
Bichette looked solid at second base during the World Series, and while it was a small, seven-game sample size, it was enough to convince teams that he can handle the position. Far more clubs are looking for help at second base than shortstop, so Bichette’s willingness to switch positions should bring more teams into play for his services.
The Blue Jays could move Andrés Giménez to shortstop and play Bichette at second base if he returns, while the Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Mariners and Rangers are also potential fits.
The free-agent second-base market isn’t deep – Luis Arraez has drawn interest from up to a half-dozen teams, some of which are looking at him at either first or second base – but the trade market offers a number of alternatives at second.
Since the offseason began, Bichette has been projected to land one of the top free-agent deals of the winter. Widening his market to include teams looking for a second baseman can only benefit him during his search for a new contract.
Arizona in play for Bregman?
Bregman is believed to be seeking a five-year deal, one that could exceed those signed last week by Pete Alonso ($155 million) and Kyle Schwarber ($150 million). Bregman, who turns 32 in March, is one year younger than Schwarber and only nine months older than Alonso.
The Diamondbacks have been focused on strengthening their pitching staff, bringing back Merrill Kelly and adding Michael Soroka this offseason. Given the prices of starting pitching this winter, they could look to move Ketel Marte in a deal for a controllable arm, then sign Bregman to bolster the lineup, though other clubs will surely be competing for Bregman’s services.
“I don’t see Arizona actually getting Bregman when all is said and done,” a rival executive said. “But then again, I didn’t see them getting Corbin Burnes last year, either.”
