{"id":335473,"date":"2025-12-07T17:59:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T17:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/335473\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T17:59:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T17:59:13","slug":"blue-jays-tabbed-to-trade-for-117-million-2b-end-bichette-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/335473\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Jays Tabbed to Trade For $117 Million 2B, End Bichette Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Bo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> wayward shortstop Bo Bichette<\/a> is expected to net a free agent contract<\/a> close to or even exceeding $200 million, and as much as the Jays and their fans might like to see the homegrown, two-time All-Star return to Canada\u2019s lone major league franchise, Toronto may have a better alternative.<\/p>\n

\nOne possible deal that could render the Blue Jays\u2019 chase of the 27-year-old obsolete was outlined by leading baseball statistics expert and researcher Thomas Nestico, and published on his TJ Stats site<\/a> Saturday. Nestico\u2019s proposed trade would give the Blue Jays an upgrade over Bichette both at the plate and in the field and save them money as well.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Blue Jays Add Marte in Proposed Trade<\/p>\n

The key player in the deal, according to Nestico\u2019s proposal, would be Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> three-time All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte<\/a>, whose career OPS of .823 tops Bichette\u2019s .806. But not only would Marte be an improvement on offense, the 32-year-old Dominican Republic native is widely viewed as a potential Gold Glove candidate<\/a> in the field.<\/p>\n

\nBichette, on the other hand, has been called \u201cthe worst defensive shortstop in Major League Baseball,\u201d by Bleacher Report analyst<\/a> Joel Reuter.<\/p>\n

\nIn addition, while the price for Bichette has been estimated as high as $216 million<\/a> over eight years, an average annual value (AAV) of $27 million.<\/p>\n

\nMarte will enter the second year of a six-year contract<\/a> extension valued just short of $117 million.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cNot only is Marte a stud with the bat, his contract structure is team friendly,\u201d Nestico wrote. \u201cHe is under team control for 5 more years with an AAV a hair under $20 million. This combination of production at that price point makes Marte one of the most valuable trade pieces in baseball. Any team looking to acquire Marte from Arizona will need to construct an outstanding trade package.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Toronto Must Part With Barger<\/p>\n

According to Nestico\u2019s proposal, the Diamondbacks would package Marte with versatile, eight-year veteran Lourdes Gurriel<\/a> Jr. The \u201ccenterpiece\u201d of the package they would receive in return would be outfielder Addison Barger<\/a>, whose \u201c2025 season was a full-fledged breakout where he translated his immense raw strength to hit 21 HR and post a 107 wRC+ in his first full MLB<\/a> campaign,\u201d Nestico noted.<\/p>\n

\nThe Blue Jays would also include 31-year-old righty Jos\u00e9 Berr\u00edos<\/a>, which seems like no loss because, \u201cBerr\u00edos has quickly lost his rotation spot in Toronto. A combination of new free agent signings and suboptimal performance renders Berr\u00edos at best their #5 starter,\u201d Nestico wrote.<\/p>\n

\nIncluding Berr\u00edos in the deal would also transfer one of the six $100 million-plus contracts<\/a> on Toronto\u2019s current books to Arizona\u2019s ledger, helping to make room for the $92 million they would owe Marte through the 2030 season.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Pair of Top-5 Prospects Head to D-backs<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most valuable pickups for a rebuilding, cost-cutting Arizona team, however, would be the two top prospects included in Nestico\u2019s proposed Toronto trade package. Arjun Nimmala, a 20-year-old shortstop who was Toronto\u2019s 2023 first-round draft pick at 20th overall \u2014 the highest draft slot ever for a first-generation Indian-American<\/a> player \u2014 would appeal to Arizona, Nestico wrote, \u201cdue to his raw talent and ability to play up the middle. He may not debut for another few years, but he has the potential to be a key piece for any team in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nNimmala is currently ranked as the Blue Jays\u2019 No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, and No. 4 by TJ Stats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\nAt No. 5, per Pipeline<\/a>, but No. 2 in the TJ Stats rankings, 19-year-old lefty Johnny King<\/a> completes the proposed trade.<\/p>\n

\nKing was picked in the third round in 2024 by Toronto and \u201chis long-term upside rivals nearly anyone in the organization,\u201d an MLB Pipeline scouting<\/a> report says.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJonathan Vankin<\/a> JONATHAN VANKIN is an award-winning journalist and writer who now covers baseball and other sports for Heavy.com. He twice won New England Press Association awards for sports feature writing. He was a sports editor and writer at The Daily Yomiuri in Tokyo, Japan, covering Japan Pro Baseball, boxing, sumo and other sports. More about Jonathan Vankin<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Blue Jays\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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