The NL East is a loaded division, and a key free agent could have a big impact.
The Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette is available, and the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves could all get involved.
ESPN's Jeff Passan named all three of those clubs in his new analysis of Bichette's free agency on Tuesday.
This is what Passan wrote:
"The Atlanta Braves and Detroit have holes at the most important position on the infield. The Yankees could use an upgrade over Anthony Volpe and Jose Caballero. The Mets aren't inclined to replace Francisco Lindor at shortstop, but they do have room to improve at second and third, as do the Phillies."
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Bichette's free agency could come down to how much he himself wants to stay at shortstop.
As Passan writes, the Mets have Francisco Lindor, and the Phillies have Trea Turner. Bichette isn't a great fielder and is expected to move eventually, but if a different team offers him the chance to stay at short and he finds that most appealing, it would hurt the chances for the Mets and Phillies.
Bichette's bat is what will get him paid.
"Bichette made himself upward of nine figures with an excellent 2025, in which he hit.311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs," Passan writes. "A knee injury kept him out for most of the postseason, but he returned for the World Series and hit.348/.444/.478 with a mammoth Game 7 home run."
And it won't come cheap, either. Bichette will likely get the second-most free agent money for a hitter behind Kyle Tucker.
"Even if there isn't a perfect fit for Bichette, the opportunity to land a 27-year-old infielder with a premium bat and not have to give up any prospects is rare," Passan writes. "The last player of Bichette's caliber and age to hit free agency was Carlos Correa, and even after a pair of contract agreements that were invalidated because of medical questions, he received a six-year, $200 million deal from the Minnesota Twins."
Bichette's final destination will be notable regardless, because he can swing a championship race with his pure right-handed swings.
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