The Philadelphia Phillies have been linked to Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent possibility all of a sudden.
While there was some initial speculation, the news ramped up lately, with the Phillies set to meet Bichette, and the two sides linking up seeming like a real possibility.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared a report that revealed the origin of the link between the two. This free agent update is some good news for the Phillies, as the All-Star infielder is more than just interested in the Phillies; he "desires" to play in Philadelphia.
Phillies get good Bo Bichette news amid free agent desire
"The Phillies' interest in potentially signing Bichette came about after the holidays when Bichette expressed a desire in playing for them," Nightengale writes, "particularly after the hiring last week of Don Mattingly as their bench coach."
While the hiring of Don Mattingly isn't the only reason why Bichette would be interested in playing for the Phillies, it's clearly having a positive impact on the team already.
If the Phillies could add Bichette to the lineup, it would give another great right-handed hitting bat to the lineup, one in dire need of an upgrade.
More: Phillies have 3 teams competing for J.T. Realmuto's signature in free agency
Alec Bohm would be traded, and J.T. Realmuto would be confirmed not to be returning, barring no other team giving him a competitive offer.
But the Philies wouldn't have been able to consider such a drastic offseason move if it weren't for Bichette showing a desire to play for them this offseason.
It's a few weeks late, but the Phillies might be getting an incredible Christmas gift in Bichette coming to Philadelphia.
The two sides are meeting on Monday, January 12th, and after that meeting, a lot more will be known about the Phillies' chances of signing Bichette and the future of the franchise.
More MLB news:
- Royals predicted as dark-horse landing spot for.814 OPS free agent from Yankees
- No one is talking about this team as a sleeper in Cody Bellinger's free agency market
- Giants linked to 296-HR free agent slugger as potential signing
- Diamondbacks get good news on signing Paul Goldschmidt in free agency
- Tigers urged to sign 1 or 2 future Hall of Famers for Detroit reunion
- Rangers' rotation pitched as needing this free agent signing