Blue Jays have reason to be worried about Bichette's latest meeting

As if Blue Jays fans weren’t already uneasy about the possibility of Bo Bichette packing his bags, there’s now even more reason for concern. While no concrete details have emerged since, Bichette reportedly met with the Philadelphia Phillies, and it seemingly went well according to insider Jon Heyman.

Although the Phillies look like a fit for the 27-year-old free agent, there are certainly some moving parts that would need to get ironed out, including a potential trade of their current third baseman, Alec Bohm. Bohm, who's been a Philly since 2020, would most likely be the player who'd reap the effects of a Bichette deal, considering he hasn't had an OPS higher than .780 since his rookie year. It's evident, there is a ton of momentum between Bichette and the Phillies.

Blue Jays have reason to be worried about Bichette's latest meeting

What makes this development especially concerning for the Blue Jays is how well Philadelphia aligns with what Bichette is believed to value at this stage of his career. The Phillies offer a win-now roster built around established stars and a market that has shown a willingness to spend aggressively to sustain contention. Add in the hitter-friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park, and his prior relationship with Don Mattingly, it’s easy to see why the fit is being taken seriously.

Despite the obvious buzz around Philadelphia, Heyman noted that the Blue Jays remain firmly in the mix for Bichette, along with the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and several other big-market clubs. Heyman also reported last week that Bichette is believed to be seeking a deal in the $300 million range, which may be above what the Blue Jays are willing to give him, considering he won't have the ability to remain at shortstop for the rest of his next contract.

On the field, Bichette continues to make a compelling case. He hit .311 last season, finishing second in the majors with 44 doubles and tying for second with 181 hits, all while missing the final 20 games of the regular season due to a left knee PCL sprain. The injury also sidelined him for most of October, costing him time in the ALDS and ALCS, though he returned for the World Series and was productive immediately, batting .348 with a home run and six RBIs.

Across seven major-league seasons, Bichette has established himself as one of baseball’s most consistent hitters, carrying a career slash line of .294/.337/.469 with 111 home runs and 437 RBIs.

While Toronto remains in the mix, meetings like this underscore the reality that the Blue Jays are competing with organizations that can check nearly every box Bichette might be looking for.