The Philadelphia Phillies are set to meet with Toronto Blue Jays free agent Bo Bichette, a huge development in the infielder’s market.
More news: Yankees in Pursuit of Dodgers Target Bo Bichette as Cody Bellinger Talks Stall
The Los Angeles Dodgers have checked in on Bichette, but the defending champions aren’t expected to be the most aggressive suitor for the 27-year-old.
While president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s preferred offseason method is to “hang around the backboard,” the Phillies could very well swoop in and sign Bichette.
The Athletic’s Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal revealed details of the Phillies’ interest in the Blue Jays star and what that could mean for the National League powerhouse.
“Bichette is expected to meet with Phillies officials on a video conference call in the coming days, those sources said. The club’s interest in Bichette is legitimate, and if it results in a deal, it would likely require the team to move on from roster mainstays J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm,” Gelb and Rosenthal wrote.
The Phillies aren’t the only serious contender to have emerged in the Bichette sweepstakes this week. The New York Yankees are also looking into Bichette as talks with Cody Bellinger have stalled, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
“The Yankees and No. 1 target Cody Bellinger have exchanged multiple proposals but haven’t closed the gap quite enough to shut off other possibilities — either for Bellinger or the Yankees, who are now looking more seriously at superstar infielder Bo Bichette,” Heyman writes.
The Dodgers are a possible destination for any big name free agent, and thus, it would be a mistake to rule the defending champions out of any race. But in order for Bichette to land in LA, he would likely need to agree to a lower-term, higher-salary contract structure.
Bichette is reportedly looking for a $300 million deal, and while money is never an issue for the Dodgers, the front office won’t overpay for a star.
More news: Dodgers World Series Champion Outfielder DFA’d by Giants After Short Stint
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
