Analyzing a pair of Bo Bichette trade proposals that make sense for the Blue Jays

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The rumors have been swirling in regards to Toronto Blue Jays star shortstop Bo Bichette ahead of the trade deadline. With the Jays heading towards selling mode, dealing the two-time All-Star could help accelerate the retooling and rebuilding needed to get the team back in the right direction.

With that, a couple of attractive trade proposals have surfaced courtesy of Peter Appel of the Just Baseball Show. In one possible deal, the Blue Jays would be dealing with the offensive juggernauts in the Atlanta Braves with the following:

Bo Gausman

So we are talking about a major blockbuster here, with the Jays’ star shortstop and team ace going one way, while three top 10 pitching prospects and a viable future shortstop prospect from the Braves’ system would be coming back.

As much as Bichette and Gausman have been struggling so far in 2024, a potential change of scenery could get them back to their prior dominant form to provide full value to Atlanta. Orlando Arcia has done a so-so job as the Braves’ shortstop, but he’s certainly no Bichette, especially when Bichette can be at his best. Also, in adding Gausman, he can essentially replace Spencer Strider in the Braves’ rotation. Strider was lost for the season when he underwent surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow.

Nevertheless, the Jays would still be ahead of the game, netting four big prospects that are among the top 5 in the Braves’ organization. AJ Smith-Shawver has struggled to a 5.97 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett this season. But he has seen action in the major leagues in each of the past two seasons and could be ready to take the next step soon. Hurston Waldrep has been the more promising prospect to date, toiling with a stellar 2.55 ERA with 100 strikeouts in just 84.2 innings over two minor league seasons. In doing so, he earned a promotion to the big league team in June where he made two forgettable starts before being put on the 15-day IL due to elbow inflammation.

Despite being the third-ranked top prospect in the Braves system, Ritchie had dealt with injury woes that has limited him to just 13 starts in the past three years. Although when healthy, he has posted some strong numbers, with a 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, along with 54 strikeouts in just 40 innings pitched. Finally, Nacho Alvarez Jr. might not be the next Bichette, but his ability to hit for average, along with adding some speed and solid plate discipline in his game, he should become a serviceable major league shortstop in the future. In three minor league seasons, he has hit .285 with a .794 OPS, 122 runs scored, 14 home runs, 114 RBI and 45 steals in 219 games played.

The other trade proposal would involve the perennial contenders in the NL West with the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bo LA

With the Dodgers deploying the likes of the struggling Gavin Lux, James Outman, Chris Taylor and company in their everyday lineup, adding Bichette could help change their entire roster setup for the better. If Bichette plays at shortstop, a returning Mookie Betts could then be used in the outfield or at second base to essentially remove one of the above feeble bats from the daily lineup.

As for the Jays, with Danny Jansen rumoured to be leaving town by the trade deadline, they would get back a solid catching prospect in Diego Cartaya. Cartaya had been the Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect for each of the past two seasons, but has since fallen to seventh in 2024. Known for his power and production, he has struggled mightily since making his move up to Double-A last season and continuing into Triple-A this season. This year, he has batted just .234 with a .700 OPS with 33 runs scored, 6 home runs and 35 RBI in 60 games played across two minor league levels. Nevertheless, with Jansen usually hitting also around that average as well throughout his MLB career, Cartaya would appear in line to be his ideal replacement.

Landon Knack has already made it to the majors this season with the Dodgers and has done well in a starting role for the ballclub. In eight games, including seven starts, Knack had posted a 1-2 record with a solid 3.23 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, along with 10 walks and 36 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched. So having shown the ability to get big league hitters out, the Jays would be getting a proven rotation piece that they could confidently insert into their starting five right away if needed.

So for either of these trade proposals with legitimate contenders, the Jays would be getting key pieces that could directly help the club in the not-so-distant future. In some cases, they could even help right away. Overall, given that Bichette had been underperforming all season, the impressive haul that the Jays would be receiving makes total sense for the team. This holds true even if they have to end up including Gausman, as in the case with the Braves’ proposal. As a result, they should make the deal happen if it ever presents itself.

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