Interest in free agent infielder Bo Bichette has mostly been limited to a pair of AL East teams this offseason. Toronto is known to be open to a reunion, while Boston has met with the two-time All-Star over Zoom. Three teams are now joining the Blue Jays and Red Sox in the race for Bichette’s services, as Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers have checked in on him.
New York is one of the few contenders without a concrete plan at shortstop. Anthony Volpe is coming off a brutal season and will miss the beginning of the 2026 campaign following labrum surgery. Utilityman José Caballero will likely cover shortstop until Volpe returns. The Yankees also re-signed Amed Rosario, who has plenty of experience playing up the middle.
Top prospect George Lombard Jr. is a candidate to handle the position in the future, but stepping in as soon as this season would be a tall task for the 20-year-old. Adding Bichette would obviously be a long-term commitment, though he could move to second or third base once Lombard is ready.
The Yankees have been primarily connected to pitchers and outfielders in free agency, but a notable internal development could adjust that approach. Reports emerged in mid-December that the team was listening to offers on infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. With the front office potentially less than enthused about extending Chisholm, who will be a free agent in 2027, flipping him now could make sense. Chisholm’s departure would open up a spot at second base, a position Bichette has said he’d be willing to play.
The case for the Cubs is similar. Chicago doesn’t have an obvious need up the middle, with Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner locked in at shortstop and second base, respectively. However, Hoerner is drawing trade interest. The speedy infielder is entering the final season of the three-year, $35MM extension he signed in 2024. Just like with the Yankees and Chisholm, if the Cubs aren’t planning to bring Hoerner back, moving him for other assets would be a sensible path. Hoerner is coming off a strong season in which he hit .297 with 29 stolen bases.
There’s also the third base option. The hot corner has been vaguely mentioned as a defensive landing spot for Bichette, who’s seen his metrics fall off considerably at shortstop. In a separate post mentioning several free agents, including Bichette, Heyman reported that he’s drawing interest at second base, shortstop, and third base. Bichette could be a fallback option of sorts if Chicago comes up short in its pursuit of Alex Bregman.
Bichette had only played shortstop at the MLB level until a brief cameo at second base this past postseason. In his return from a September knee injury, Bichette appeared in five games at the keystone in the World Series. He played 30 games at second base in the minors. Bichette has never appeared at third base as a professional. His subpar arm strength wouldn’t be ideal at the position, but it could be a better spot for his declining range. Bichette ranked in the first percentile in Outs Above Average last season. At third base, he’d have the foul line as a bumper on one side, with the rangy Andres Gimenez supporting him on the other side.
The Dodgers have Mookie Betts locked in at shortstop, but second base is a short-term hole, and third base could be a long-term need. Deficiencies are relative when it comes to the back-to-back champs, of course. The second base mix currently includes KBO import Hyeseong Kim, prospect Alex Freeland, and the recently re-signed Miguel Rojas. Tommy Edman could also factor in when he’s not playing the outfield. Even if there isn’t a clear standout in the group, there are probably enough options for LA to adequately cover the position without a major addition like Bichette.
Once again, third base is a more interesting discussion. The Dodgers reupped with Max Muncy via a $10MM club option. He’s only signed through 2026, though. Muncy will turn 36 before the end of next season. Injuries have cost him significant time in each of the past two years. His tenure with the Dodgers is likely coming to an end at some point in the near future. If the club views Bichette as a viable fit at third base, he could spend a year at second base and then transition to the hot corner for the rest of what is likely to be a lengthy contract.
Photo courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images
I call Bichette on them all being interested.
Hoerner had higher WAR than Bichette in 2025 something like 6.2 to 3.6. Cheaper and better to extend Hoerner.
Neither’s going to happen, sorry.
The Yankees should uncheck on Bichette.
Your attitude is the only thing that is Bichette around here buddy.
The suggestion that Bo could play 3B is (ahem) is in error. He struggles making throws at SS. His arm is weak and his mechanics inconsistent. Vlad has been saving him for years by having to corral all kinds of poor throws.
Anyone looking to sign him longterm might play him for a year or two more at SS, but his future is 2B for sure.
Ryan – Did anyone really expect only Toronto and Boston to be Bo’s suitors?
The Dodgers checked in? I would’ve never thought that >:-)
Yankees check on everyone and get nothing!
Hoyer isn’t signing Bichette, you can cross the Cubs off the list. I honestly don’t think Hoyer is signing any big free agent, maybe a trade but who knows at this point.
A few one year contracts for relievers and a bunch of minor league signings. They are done.
They are fearing a shutdown or abbreviated 2027 season. No team gets hit harder than the Cubs if games aren’t played. They don’t just have to worry about lost revenue from Wrigley Field and lost tv revenue – they have to worry about all their other businesses they own surrounding Wrigley that Ricketts bought up after buying the Cubs.
I agree. The cubs just want to keep us interested (and spending money.) They want to be just good enough to keep you checking on them, showing up to the games… I think the free agent trade rumors at this point are all about the same- keep us interested… stay in the mix…. But never actually do it. They’d sign Bichette for 3/60… but that’s about it.
It’s been that way forever. That’s why the very frequently hire name managers—stokes fan interest for the price of a middle reliever.
Yankees aren’t signing Bo either. We see what Imai signed for after reporting the Yankees were interested in him. Hal is crying poor leading up to the CBA negotiations. I think they’ll wind up with one big signing but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they don’t do anything.
There you go thinking
My girlfriend told me all these teams were interested in Bo, she goes to another school.
He probably won’t sign until right up to SP.
What’s SP? Other than starting pitcher
I think they meant spring training
That’s what I was thinking.
Jed’s just a really lonely guy. He’s not interested in signing anyone, but loves to check-in and say “hi.”
Per friend of mine whos now a buddy of Jed, through their wives, he is that. Nice guy
You Cubs fans ever get tired of the bit? You’re fast surpassing Yankee and Dodger fans as the most annoying on the internet.
But they have that catchy Go Cub Go j go jangle, #1 hit in Serbia for 25 wks straight
Cubs check-in, also offering turn down service with a mint
They actually charge for the mint. 16 easy payments of $599.99 biweekly. And that mint is all yours
Joe will even have Trump personally autograph them for an up charge.
Heyman? Again? Why does anyone believe a thing he says? He’s such an obvious shill for Boras and other agents… and it’s always vague references like “showing interest”… I show interest in Mila Kunis, but that’s not going anywhere
Because YOU can’t close the deal.
Thats what she said
Nothing is real until Passan confirms it.
True story
Ditto to Bowtie Rosenthal and Bob Nightengale.
Heyman should have been forced to retire after Arson Judge
I love MLBTR in every other way, but guys, please just ignore that clown disguised as a journalist
Hey be nice. He broke the news “Man Landed on the moon” a couple of years ago. A little late. But seriously.
He will go to the Dodgers if Jays dont want him 🙁
Everyone of the above comments regarding the Cubs and Jed Hoyer are 100% correct
Rather have Bo than Bregman on the Cubs
But we know that ain’t gonna happen
The Volpe nonsense cannot go on
Not going back to Toronto or it would have been done a long time ago.
I think Bo is Plan B for the Jays after Tucker. Probably that way for a few teams. Once Tucker goes, Bo’s signing follows, Jays do want him, but only at 2b. Bo at 3b would be a disaster, no matter where he ends up.
Wishful thinking – maybe Bichette is another stunning move Posey makes
If the Dodger interest is true, he needs to try to better that offer, if made.
He would be a perfect fit for the lineup and ballpark.
in december 2024 i heard that the tampa rays checked in on juan soto.im just sayin.think about it.
What a joke. There is absolutely no way in hell the Cubs are interested in anything other than a short-term deal with Brehmab or Bichette. They are always mentioned because they’re sitting there in case the market falls off for any of these guys. Ricketts justbwon’t spend money, especially with a lockout looming.
Another joke is the rumor that they wanted a front line starting pitcher. They weren’t even in on Imai, and he only signed for 3 years. It’s a shame
They absolutely were one of the favorite for Imai but they didn’t bite on the aav amount.. they got outbid.
Dodgers need an outfielder not an expensive infielder.
They need a pitcher, not a belly itcher, per Rosenthal
True but if they sign a 2B, Edman stays in CF. Pages in RF, Teo in LF.
Next we will hear he is open to playing outfield.
I am not.
Anybody but the Yankee$ or Dodger$!!
New Year same middling franchise, no plan, no intention of winning just extending underperforming popular players and selling the musty, urine smelling ballpark as a destination .The same washed up celebrities singing in the 7th. It’s all the same-lame, mediocre baseball at MLB prices.
Chavez Latrine ?
David Sterns had BETTER be playing possum here. Bichette’s days on the left side of the infield are done, he’s EXACTLY what we need offensively, the same age as Soto and blocks none of our best prospects. WHAT the F am I missing here? We’re letting a guy who’s never played first have the job anyway; just let Bichette learn the position. There’s no way he’d be worse than Pete.
He’d be our #3 hitter for the next decade. Let Benge play CF, trade for a Wilyer Abreu type to finish the OF and get to work on our mess of a rotation.
I checked on Bo too. Dad says he’s fine. 🤣
Dodgers: Hey, have you given up on the other teams yet?
Bichette: No.
Dodgers: Okay, we’ll check in again next month.
DONT DO IT CASHMAN !!!!
dont worry, he wont do it, or anything else for that matter.
Bichette at third base is a bad idea. I love Bo, but his position going forward should be second base. It is the best fit for him range and arm wise. Also, it will be the easiest position on his legs.
Just resign with the Blue Jays already Bo. You have done your best drive up the market like ole Kyle impression.
This is complete B.S. stop including the Yankees in these , we have seen they have no intention of spending. You couldnt beat 63 mil ??? If they wont participate in the offseason making the team competitive, im not going to participate in overpriced game tickets, beer, food, merch, or the MLB tv package.
The New York Yankees are going to spend $200M on Bichette? Sounds unwise enough to actually happen.
The Yankees rushed Volpe to the majors—his bat needed more Triple-A time. But his top-5 glove earned him the right to develop at shortstop. I just hope Cashman doesn’t rush George Lombard the same way. Yankees fans demand homegrown talent, then panic when kids struggle. Our offense is strong enough to carry elite defenders while their bats develop. Even with defensive regression, a healthy Volpe should provide the defense he showed in 2023-2024, which is better than Bichette’s. Bichette has the right-handed bat we need but his defense is weaker. He could slide to second, but I prefer Jazz’s skill set, lefty bat, and plus glove—and he’ll be cheaper to keep. Unless Jazz moves to third as part of an extension, focus $150-200M on Bregman or Okamoto at third. Keep Dominguez even if they sign Bellinger or Tucker—he wasn’t overwhelmed as a rookie. Bernie, Cano, Gardner, and Melky all needed time. Volpe’s defense buys him that runway. Let him develop or stop pretending we’re building sustainability.
Would the Yankees really dump fanboy Volpe? Seems like he’s had more chances than a cat has lives.
Bichette’s market is tied to Bregman. Until Bregman signs Bo won’t sign. Okamoto’s window is closing so Bregman may sign soon after
When a Boras client wants more money Heyman invests a market for him.
Is Bichette a Boras client?