3 Bo Bichette trade packages the Blue Jays wouldn’t be able to turn down

Los Angeles Dodgers

The positional versatility of a healthy Mookie Betts obviously complicates matters here, but with both Miguel Rojas ($5M club option) and Enrique “Kiké” Hernández (UFA) potential free agents, the Dodgers could look to solidify their roster for 2025. Rojas will be entering his age-36 season, and Bichette’s $11.5M AAV is only $2M more than the combined $9.5M the Dodgers will pay Rojas and Hernandez in 2024.

One of Betts or Bichette could shift to second base, where former top prospect Gavin Lux has struggled since returning from a devastating knee injury at the start of 2023. And with 29-year-old, two-time All Star catcher Will Smith signed through his age-38 season in 2033, they should be able to find a match with Toronto, who need an MLB-ready catcher.

Left-handed hitting catcher/outfielder Dalton Rushing (No. 36 on Baseball America’s updated top 100 prospect ranking) certainly fits the bill. The 23-year-old has slashed .274/.413/.521 for a .934 OPS across three minor league seasons. With the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City this year, he has a .935 OPS with 2 home runs in his first 41 at bats since his August 6th promotion. He’d thumped 17 home runs and 59 RBI in 281 at bats with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.

With an overall scouting grade of 55, it’s his quick, compact left-handed swing, as well as his consistency driving the ball in the air to his pull side that excites scouts. And while his receiving and blocking skills are still works in progress, his strong arm can deter the running game.

To make it a deal the Blue Jays couldn’t refuse, after their top pitching prospect River Ryan recently had Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers would need to add one of 25-year-old RHP Bobby Miller, 27-year old RHP Landon Knack (No. 9 in BA’s ranking of the Dodger’s system) or 24-year-old LHP Justin Wrobleski (No. 4 per BA).

After breaking out in 2023 with a 3.76 ERA over 22 starts and 124.1 innings, Miller has struggled to an 8.02 ERA in his 8 starts this season, covering only 33.2 innings. He spent two months on the IL earlier this season with inflammation in his throwing shoulder, but was recently recalled from Triple-A. Knack has a 3.07 ERA in nine games (eight starts) for the Dodgers, while Wrobleski has posted a 4.05 ERA in 20 innings over four starts for LA this season.