Bichette is ‘fallback’ option for Red Sox this offseason

Boston Red Sox

“They’ve done a lot of [Ketel] Marte talking, but certainly, Boston is a possibility for Bichette as well.”

The Red Sox still have plenty of uncertainty in place with their infield this offseason, due in large part to the team’s continued pursuit of Alex Bregman in free agency.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Bregman remains Boston’s top priority this winter given his familiarity in this market, right-handed pop at the plate, and veteran leadership. 

But, the longtime MLB insider noted on a recent Bleacher Report livestream that Boston is weighing several other contingency plans in free agency, including former Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette.

Even though Bichette — who would likely move to second base in Boston — is a younger option at 27 years old than the 31-year-old Bregman, Heyman said Boston still views Bichette as more of a backup plan if Bregman signs elsewhere. 

“Boston is a possibility for Bichette as well, but he seems like a fallback to them right now,” Heyman said. “Bregman is probably their top choice. They’ve done a lot of [Ketel] Marte talking, but certainly, Boston is a possibility for Bichette as well.”

Bichette would be a solid consolation prize, with a case to be made that a hefty free-agent contract would go further with a younger player like the Blue Jays slugger. 

Bichette fits the profile of what Boston would value in a free agent as a right-handed bat who is in the prime of his career. He batted .313 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 139 games for the Blue Jays last 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 might be older, but McDaniel projected the veteran third baseman to sign a five-year, $170 million contract this offseason — citing his strong defense and bat discipline as the reason for the solid payday. 

Rogers noted in his contract projections that one of the hangups on a long-term deal with Bichette would revolve around his availability. 

“Bichette hasn’t played in more than 135 games in a season since 2022, but still finished 16th in American League MVP voting in 2023 and 2025,” Rogers wrote. “The most recent comp for his free agency might be San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames, who signed a seven-year, $182 million contract last offseason.”

For now, it looks like all options are on the table for the Red Sox.

According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Bregman, Bichette, second baseman Ketel Marte, and third baseman Isaac Paredes remain the Red Sox’ “primary target” this winter.

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.