Dodgers News: As Bo Bichette Links Strengthen, Questions Emerge Over the Star’s Suitability With The Team

Sometimes what looks like a perfect match turns out to be anything but that. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been particularly lucky in this case. From Shohei Ohtani to Teoscar Hernandez, all of their arrivals this season have been a perfect fit. But now as strong links with Bo Bichette are emerging, there’s a growing worry regarding their match. Though normally the fit looks rather perfect on closer inspection, things change considerably. 

For instance, this isn’t a match of choice but a match of convenience. Mookie Betts is injured and the Dodgers lack any shortstop. While Miguel Rojas is covering quite well, one can’t expect a 35-year-old to remain a full-time shortstop.

On the other hand, the Toronto Blue Jays and Bichette are struggling. In this case, there are calls for trading Bichette to foster a smart rebuild. So one can understand why this is more of the right place at the right time situation.

But then are the two suitable for each other?

No, if one goes by what The Athletic says. The primary reason for the Dodgers wanting a shortstop is defense. Even Mookie Betts couldn’t give proper defensive cover to the Blue Crew in that area. But then, if one looks at Bo Bichette’s history, he too isn’t a highly capable defensive player. The player has consistently shown tendencies that sometimes make him a defensive liability.

In 2023, Bichette was 12th among Shortstops in DRS and 23rd in Outs Above Average. In simple words, he was decidedly in the middle of the pack. Things have worsened this year with the star being 28th in DRS till now. That certainly defeats the whole purpose of why the Dodgers would want to sign him. After all, what would he give to them that they don’t already have?

But then, there’s a belief that the Dodgers know these issues. In fact, The Athletic’s report indicates that they may already have diagnosed the key issue troubling the 26-year-old.

Why the Los Angeles Dodgers might still want Bo Bichette 

How much of Bo Bichette’s performance is down to his own regression and how much of it is because of the Blue Jays’ failures? That’s something that the Blue Crew is trying to figure out. The fact that they have a player like Teoscar Hernandez (who struggled in his previous team but found success here) shows that a change of scenery can prove to be worthwhile. 

On top of that, the Dodgers believe that Bichette’s main issue was his throwing. That is something that can be corrected quite quickly. That’s the one thing that is keeping hopes alive in the Dodgers clubhouse. Though the Blue Jays aren’t quite excited about losing Bichette, the star only has a year left in his deal. Would it be ideal to hold on to him when one can benefit from his trade?

Especially because the Jays aren’t really in a great position. The team has been stagnating for the past few seasons. That is a classic signal that a rebuild needs to be done. And what better way to start it than by getting some great prospects through your soon-to-be free-agent player?