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Jays GM: Bichette Remains Their Franchise Shortstop

Jays GM: Bichette Remains Their Franchise Shortstop

Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was the topic of commerce hypothesis final week, when a report recommended the Cubs had proven curiosity within the two-time All-Star. Any type of Bichette commerce at all times appeared far-fetched and Toronto common supervisor Ross Atkins shot down the chance in a chat with reporters (together with Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet and Scott Mitchell of TSN) this afternoon.

Atkins referred to as Bichette a “really good player” and pointed to the shortage of influence place participant expertise obtainable this offseason, suggesting that it’s solely pure different groups would contact the Jays about his availability. Nevertheless, Atkins made clear it’s not one thing the Jays are pursuing. “We are very fortunate to have him and he is our shortstop moving forward,” Atkins mentioned. “Rumors, speculation, there’s usually something (to them), but in our case, Bo is our shortstop moving forward.”

The Jays have the star infielder underneath contract for 2 extra seasons. Bichette signed a three-year deal to purchase out his arbitration campaigns on the eve of Spring Training. He is ready for an $11MM wage subsequent season and can make $16.5MM in his ultimate 12 months earlier than free company. That’s a value the Jays will fortunately pay for a shortstop who hit .306/.339/.475 over 601 plate appearances, numbers proper consistent with his profession marks.

Toronto has overtly appeared for tactics so as to add extra offense alongside Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Jays are a reported suitor for Shohei Ohtani and have proven curiosity in a reunion with Matt Chapman. Chapman, Brandon Belt and Whit Merrifield all hitting free company has subtracted a trio of regulars from the lineup.

As they reload on the heels of an 89-win season that ended within the Wild Card spherical, the entrance workplace is unsurprisingly open to short-term acquisitions. Atkins mentioned the workforce isn’t averse to buying and selling for a participant who’s one 12 months from free company (Nicholson-Smith link). The GM didn’t point out any particular targets. Juan SotoCorbin BurnesShane BieberHa-Seong Kim and Max Kepler are among the many rental gamers who appeared on MLBTR’s listing of the Top 25 offseason commerce candidates earlier this month.

Right-hander Alek Manoah additionally appeared on that listing. The Jays have signaled some openness to shifting the enigmatic hurler on the heels of a disastrous season. However, Nicholson-Smith suggests (on X) the workforce is extra inclined to carry onto Manoah slightly than promoting low. At the beginning of the offseason, Atkins implied he was the in-house favourite to occupy the fifth spot within the rotation behind Kevin GausmanChris BassittJosé Berríos and Yusei Kikuchi.

Manoah was a Cy Young finalist as lately as 2022, when he pitched to a 2.24 ERA over 31 begins. Everything went within the improper path this 12 months. Manoah allowed 5.87 earned runs per 9 over 87 1/3 innings. His stroll fee greater than doubled whereas his strikeouts fell to a career-low 19% mark. He didn’t pitch once more after being optioned on August 10. Last month, Atkins mentioned the West Virginia product had obtained a platelet-rich plasma injection in his throwing shoulder.

The GM indicated at present that Manoah is throwing as a part of his offseason routine. He appears on observe to be a full-go for Spring Training. He’d seemingly enter exhibition play because the #5 starter, though the Jays have not less than kicked the tires on doable rotation acquisitions. They’ve been tied to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and have been reportedly concerned within the Aaron Nola market to some extent earlier than he re-signed with the Phillies. If the Jays have been to land one other starter, it’d reignite hypothesis about Manoah’s availability.


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