Tigers predicted to beat out Yankees, Blue Jays for Bo Bichette

Conor Liguori

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Tigers predicted to beat out Yankees, Blue Jays for Bo Bichette image

The Detroit Tigers may be ready to give their top prospect, shortstop Kevin McGonigle, a chance to win the everyday job out of spring training. 

But it might not stop their pursuit of free agent Bo Bichette, who could opt to return to the Toronto Blue Jays or sign with a surprise club like the New York Yankees. 

Just Baseball's Ryan Finkelstein predicts that this offseason, the Tigers will sign Bichette to an eight-year, $208 million contract. 

"Now, picking a new team for Bichette was tough, but I thought a fun landing spot would be the Detroit Tigers," wrote Finkelstein. "Last year, the Tigers made a big push for [Alex] Bregman. Maybe Bichette is the infielder they can lock up long-term instead." 

Bichette could move to second base with the Tigers 

Earlier this offseason, multiple reports indicated that Bichette is open to playing second base with his next team. With limited range and below-par arm strength, the 27-year-old grades out poorly at shortstop. 

If the reports are true, Bichette could play second base for the Tigers with McGonigle as his partner in the middle infield. But there are other routes Detroit could consider. 

"Either they defer to Bichette to get the talent in the door, and play McGonigle at third base, or they put their best defensive team on the field and shift Bichette to second or third and keep the better defender at short in McGonigle," Finkelstein added. 

There's no denying Bichette would provide the Tigers with a major boost on offense. The two-time All-Star led the AL in hits in 2021 and 2022 and posted an OPS of.802 or higher in four consecutive seasons with 135 or more games played. 

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Editorial Team