Dodgers’ Top Potential Trade Target Suffers Injury

The Toronto Blue Jays have placed All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette on the 10-day injured list with a calf strain. Bichette has been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a potential trade deadline acquisition.

Bichette, 26, is having a down year after two All-Star campaigns in the last three seasons. In 66 games, the right-handed shortstop is slashing .237/.286/.342 with four home runs and 28 runs batted in. His .629 OPS would be by far the lowest of his career, as he’s never had an OPS below .800.

Bichette could end up being one of the best players available at this year’s trade deadline if the Blue Jays elect to sell. The Blue Jays enter Tuesday at 34-28, a whopping 15 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East. They’re five games behind the Minnesota Twins for the third and final AL Wild Card spot.

If the Blue Jays elect to sell, Bichette, a shortstop with another year of team control, would be a perfect target for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts, who’s been the primary shortstop this season, fractured his hand and will miss the next six to eight weeks, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Miguel Rojas is going to be the everyday shortstop for now, but the Dodgers could look for a more proven everyday option, especially considering Rojas is in his age-35 season. He is having a great year, though, sporting an OPS of .799 through 43 games.

Of course, none of that will be applicable if Bichette is injured for a decent amount of time. But if this injury is minimal, and Bichette is able to return well before the trade deadline, he will remain a trade candidate unless the Blue Jays turn their season around. That will only prove to be more difficult with Bichette on the IL.

Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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