The methods of Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has been described as “hanging around the backboard.”
More news: 5 Reasons Why The Dodgers Should Pursue Blue Jays Star Bo Bichette
Friedman will typically watch and see how a free agent’s offseason unfolds, rather than pouncing when the price is highest. In terms of the Bo Bichette sweepstakes, the Dodgers may have caught their lucky break.
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal over the weekend. While both Toronto and the defending champions have been linked to Bichette this winter, there’s reason to believe the Blue Jays could be setting their sights on landing the crown jewel of this year’s free agent class: Kyle Tucker.
Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain explained why the Dodgers’ chances of landing Bichette have changed since the Okamoto signing.
“The reason why it’s different today than it was yesterday is the Blue Jays did sign an infielder, a corner infielder, Kazuma Okamoto, to a four-year deal, and now that you’ve signed an infielder, maybe if you’re the Blue Jays, you pivot to Kyle Tucker instead of Bo Bichette,” McKain said on Dodgers Dougout Live.
According to McKain, the Dodgers would rather sign Bichette more so than outfielders Cody Bellinger and Tucker.
“The reason for that, I truly believe is, purely is they realize if they were to sign Bo Bichette, they could root for his success in years one, two and three, knowing that he would be under contract for multiple seasons, playing at a position that he has already made clear that he is willing to play now which is second base, he is not asking to play shortstop,” McKain said.
The Dodgers did not have an everyday second baseman last season with players like Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman alternating at the position. With Mookie Betts expected to remain the Dodgers’ starting shortstop in 2026, the defending champions have the opportunity to fill up their middle infield with a young star in Bichette.
Bichette graded -13 in outs above average last season, placing him in the first percentile amongst qualified fielders. The 27-year-old’s bat is his strength as he slashed .298/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS in 2025.
Someone who could play a pivotal role in helping Bichette improve defensively is Rojas. The veteran infielder was a huge help to Betts in his first full season as the Dodgers shortstop and could do the same for Bichette if he signs with the team.
Of all the big name free agents remaining, Bichette is perhaps the best fit for LA. With spring training quickly approaching, the star infielder is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.
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Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
One Response
Bichette and Tucker, both. The Dodgers can afford both of them without increasing the payroll very much from last year as they have so much money coming off the books now, and after 2026, and after 2027 and after 2028. After the 2025 season – Kershaw, Conforto, Yates, Chris Taylor, a few others came off the books Even after signing Diaz they are still around $40 million under last year’s payroll. Use that to pay Tucker and Bichette. After 2026 – Rojas, Treinen, Muncy ($25 million). After 2027 Teoscar and Freddie Freeman ($50 million). After 2028 Tanner Scott and Glasnow ($45 million). That $110 million coming off the books after 2026, 2027, 2028, in steps, with the players leaving to be replaced by league minimum players, if possible, or early arbitration year players. Rely on the farm system, not free agents, after this off-season, to replace Muncy [Freeland] Teoscar [5 of their top 10 prospects are outfielders] Freeman [Rushing? One of the outfielders?] and Glasnow [Gavin Stone, River Ryan will not be in arbitration for 2+ more years, then Kyle Hurt, Jackson Ferris and others won’t even be in arbitration until 2028 or 2029.