The 2024 Major League Baseball season is about half way completed, which also means that the trade deadline is coming into view as the calendar moves closer to July.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently in a good spot as they sit atop the National League West standings with a sizable gap between them and the San Diego Padres. They are also in contention for the top seed, behind only the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the NL.
Still, the Dodgers have some holes on the roster that could be upgraded, which could be done by adding a middle infielder, outfield help, or possibly additions to the pitching staff depending on the health of their injured players.
The team has already been linked to two of the most prominent players on the trade block in Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr., but the asking price is sure to be steep.
This could lead to the Dodgers exploring their other options on the market, with possible eyes on Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. The Blue Jays find themselves in last place in a loaded American League East division, but a trade of their high-value assets like Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not seen as a guarantee.
However, Bichette’s recent comments regarding his name in trade rumors has added some fuel to the fire, according to Toronto Blue Jays team reporter Hazel Mae:
Spoke to Bo Bichette about trade rumours and deadline talk. I asked him whether he’d be surprised if he were moved at the trade deadline.
“No. Not surprised at all.”#BlueJays
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) June 27, 2024
Bichette has been viewed as a possible replacement at shortstop even before Mookie Betts’ injury, and a trade for the Blue Jays star could give the Dodgers the freedom to move Betts back into a less physically demanding position for the sake of his longevity.
From the Blue Jays’ side of things, the prospect haul of trading Bichette or Guerrero Jr. would be a prudent move and could help them get a head start on a probable rebuild.
Despite his down season, the cost would still be fairly significant, but it’s a move the Dodgers have the assets, and potential need, to pull off.
How could Bo Bichette help the Dodgers in 2024?
Bichette has been an above average hitter in his six years as a Major Leaguer with a .292 batting average, .804 on-base plus slugging percentage, 93 home runs, and 143 doubles. However, he is not performing up to his standards in 2024 with his stats down across the board.
The Dodgers would be buying low, but Bichette’s entire body of work makes him a pretty safe bet considering he has never hit below .290 in a season before 2024.
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