The New York Yankees are always linked to the top free agents in the offseason, and with Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker out there, the Yankees are strongly linked to both.
But, for MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Yankees' "perfect free-agent match" isn't an outfielder. Instead, Feinsand links the Yankees to an infield free agent from the Toronto Blue Jays.
That player is Bo Bichette. New York could steal Bichette away from the Blue Jays, their division rival, who just made, but lost in the World Series. While Bichette might not have a clear fit, Anthony Volpe's spot would be very much in doubt with this potential move.
Yankees could replace Anthony Volpe with Bo Bichette
"Bichette and the Blue Jays could still have a reunion, but what if the Yankees made a strong bid for the shortstop?" Feinsand writes. "Many view Bichette as a future second baseman, but with Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgery and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Set to become a free agent next year, Bichette could step in at shortstop and give New York a long-term plan at second base if Chisholm leaves."
This free agent signing would be a surprising one, as the Yankees don't necessarily need to add a shortstop this winter. Volpe won't be ready to begin the year, but the Yankees have some options to keep things afloat in his absence.
Signing Bichette would be a huge offensive upgrade over Volpe, and also provide some key insurance in case Jazz Chisholm Jr. Departs in next year's free agency.
More: Yankees' Anthony Volpe undergoes shoulder surgery amid injury-plagued season
In 2025, Bichette had a.311 batting average across 582 at-bats. He also had 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an.840 OPS. During the Blue Jays' World Series run, Bichette hit.348 with a.923 OPS.
Adding a player with strong offense like Bichette would be a huge upgrade over Volpe's offensive output. While his defense isn't the best, it would be a worthy sacrifice to get the significant boost offensively.
And if Chisholm leaves after one more year, then Bichette could easily make the transition to second base, becoming one of, if not the best hitting second baseman in MLB.
The Yankees stealing Bichette from the Blue Jays would make a lot of sense for New York, as they get an upgrade over Volpe, and hurt their divison rival in the process.
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