The Toronto Blue Jays faced a significant setback after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series. As the clock ticks, the organization prepares to lose its exclusive negotiating rights with infielder Bo Bichette, a top free agent for this upcoming winter.

At 27 years old, Bichette has been ranked as CBS Sports’ third best available player. In a recent evaluation, it was highlighted that while his ideal playing position is second base, his impressive batting skills might encourage teams to overlook his defensive shortcomings at shortstop. Bichette has maintained a .290 average for four of the last five seasons and has delivered 60 extra-base hits three times.

Strengths

Bichette’s history shows that he’s performed 20% better than the average player in four of his five full seasons, ranking eighth among active middle infielders in OPS+. Known for his contact hitting, he was recently among the few players with a 90 mph average exit velocity while also boasting a 90% in-zone contact rate. He’s effective across all fields and often hits 24 home runs and 41 doubles per 162 games.

Weaknesses

However, his defensive skills at shortstop remain a concern with a history of struggles on various plays, and his arm strength is below average. Since 2022, injuries have limited him from playing 150 games in a single season.

Contract Prediction

Slated to enter free agency, recent contracts for shortstops like Dansby Swanson, who signed for seven years at $177 million, suggest that Bichette could be looking at a deal around seven years, $189 million.

Potential Suitors

The Toronto Blue Jays remain the most apparent option for Bichette, as they expressed interest in re-signing him after the season. However, teams like the Atlanta Braves, led by former Jays executive Alex Anthopoulos, and the Los Angeles Angels could also vie for his talents, especially if they need to bolster their line-up.

With questions surrounding his fit and long-term plans, this off-season could reveal significant movements in the landscape of the MLB.