The Toronto Blue Jays made the World Series last season, but now one of their best players is on the open market. Bo Bichette figures to have plenty of suitors.
Perhaps no contender is more needy at shortstop than the Atlanta Braves. Orlando Arcia was great for one season but declined greatly. The Braves moved on to Ha-Seong Kim last season, but he is now a free agent. Atlanta acquired utilityman Mauricio Dubón on Wednesday, but according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, they could still target shortstops.
Dubón has raised the Braves’ floor at shortstop, but Bichette is the best shortstop on the market. While Bichette is a great offensive player, his defensive metrics at shortstop may scare some teams. There is talk of Bichette changing positions. However, those defensive concerns and fear of a need to change his position have essentially put the Braves out of the running for Bichette.
“Free agent Bo Bichette also does not appear to be a possibility for Atlanta,” wrote The Athletic. “Many teams, knowing Bichette’s defensive metrics are among the league’s worst, no longer view him as a shortstop.”
Teams may consider moving Bichette to second or third base. However, the Braves already have All-Stars at those posts. Austin Riley is locked in at third base and the Braves have Ozzie Albies at second base. Between those two and Dubón, it would not make much sense for the Braves to have Bichette anywhere but shortstop.
He had a minus-13 outs above average last season and has a minus-33 outs above average at shortstop since making his debut.
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