Bichette is ‘fallback’ option for Red Sox this offseason

The Pink Sox nonetheless have loads of uncertainty in place with their infield this offseason, due largely to the group’s continued pursuit of Alex Bregman in free company.

In line with Jon Heyman of the New York Put up, Bregman stays Boston’s prime precedence this winter given his familiarity on this market, right-handed pop on the plate, and veteran management. 

However, the longtime MLB insider famous on a latest Bleacher Report livestream that Boston is weighing a number of different contingency plans in free company, together with former Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette.

Although Bichette — who would possible transfer to second base in Boston — is a youthful possibility at 27 years outdated than the 31-year-old Bregman, Heyman mentioned Boston nonetheless views Bichette as extra of a backup plan if Bregman indicators elsewhere. 

“Boston is a risk for Bichette as effectively, however he looks as if a fallback to them proper now,” Heyman said. “Bregman might be their best choice. They’ve accomplished loads of [Ketel] Marte speaking, however actually, Boston is a risk for Bichette as effectively.”

Bichette can be a strong comfort prize, with a case to be made {that a} hefty free-agent contract would go additional with a youthful participant just like the Blue Jays slugger. 

Bichette suits the profile of what Boston would worth in a free agent as a right-handed bat who’s within the prime of his profession. He batted .313 with 18 house runs and 94 RBI in 139 video games for the Blue Jays final season. 

In a contract projection story compiled by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers earlier this month, Kiley McDaniel projected Bichette to sign a five-year, $150 million deal. Bregman may be older, however McDaniel projected the veteran third baseman to signal a five-year, $170 million contract this offseason — citing his robust protection and bat self-discipline as the explanation for the strong payday. 

Rogers famous in his contract projections that one of many hangups on a long-term cope with Bichette would revolve round his availability. 

“Bichette hasn’t performed in additional than 135 video games in a season since 2022, however nonetheless completed sixteenth in American League MVP voting in 2023 and 2025,” Rogers wrote. “The newest comp for his free company may be San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames, who signed a seven-year, $182 million contract final offseason.”

For now, it seems like all choices are on the desk for the Pink Sox.

According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Bregman, Bichette, second baseman Ketel Marte, and third baseman Isaac Paredes stay the Pink Sox’ “major goal” this winter.

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.