The Toronto Blue Jays have made some major additions this offseason, but Bo Bichette remains on the open market. Could the Blue Jays start thinking about replacing him?
The Blue Jays have spent big this offseason on Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers. They seemingly still have room to spend, as they are reportedly pursuing Kyle Tucker. However, signing Tucker could tap them out of Bichette’s market. However, they could explore cheaper upgrades on the trade market.
The Washington Nationals are reportedly open to listening to offers on CJ Abrams. It would take a monster package to get him out of Washington, but the Blue Jays could use a player like him if they lose Bichette. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed this deal to get Abrams to Toronto:
- Blue Jays receive: SS CJ Abrams
- Nationals receive: LHP Ricky Tiedemann (Blue Jays No. 4 prospect), SS Arjun Nimmala (Blue Jays No. 3 prospect), OF RJ Schreck (Blue Jays No. 10 prospect) and 3B/1B Charles McAdoo (Blue Jays No. 15 prospect)
Four top 30 prospects for one player would be a massive haul for the Nationals. However, the Blue Jays would be getting three years of Abrams at a fraction of the cost of what Bichette would make. Abrams is not as good as Bichette, but he was an All-Star last season, and perhaps has room to get even better. The Blue Jays are focused on winning now, and dealing prospects for a player like Abrams is a move that reflects that.
Abrams hit 19 home runs last season and posted a .748 OPS. He is not a great defender, like Bichette, but the Blue Jays could move him to second base, making Andrés Giménez the starting shortstop. Depending on how aggressive the Blue Jays want to be, adding Abrams would not necessarily rule them out from signing Bichette and a player like Tucker.
They would likely have to find a way to unload Giménez’s contract. However, a scenario where the Blue Jays land Tucker, Bichette and Abrams would be extremely unlikely.
