Dodgers Rumors: Will Bo Bichette Be Traded at the Deadline?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly been interested in acquiring an everyday shortstop before the July 30 trade deadline since Mookie Betts fractured his hand and landed on the injured list.
They have been linked to Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette but as the days pass, it seems more unlikely that the deal will happen.
“I don’t think they’ll trade him,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “I mean as embarrassing as the season has been for the Blue Jays, and they’re probably the most underachieving team the last few years, you still have Bichette and Guerrero one more year. Bichette, big name, he’s done some nice things offensively — defensively, he’s struggled big time. And, let’s face it, when the Dodgers are making moves for the World Series, last thing you want is for a young shortstop to kick some balls around come playoff time — that’s where Rojas sticks in. No matter what he does offensively, a guy that is that key, defensively. So I think it’s possible, but unlikely. I’m not sure the Blue Jays will even trade them.”
The offense wins games but the defense wins the championships. Since Betts’ injury, Miguel Rojas has stepped into the starting role for the Dodgers. Rojas is also having a better season overall.
He has a .282 average with 46 hits through 57 games entering Sunday while Bichette is batting .225 with 66 hits in 75 games. Rojas has one error this season playing second base, short, and third base while Bichette has seven.
With Betts out for several more weeks, it doesn’t make sense for the Dodgers to bring in a shortstop when they have bigger holes to fill in the outfield. Bichette isn’t worth the prospect haul when the Dodgers have the flexibility to stick with Rojas or go back to Betts.
