The Toronto Blue Jays are trying to build a World Series roster, and while they've already spent $240 million this winter, there's a lot more money about to be spent.
Toronto is planning to re-sign Bo Bichette, sign Kyle Tucker, or perhaps even both. Tucker's market is a huge one, with plenty of teams vying for the top hitter this winter. However, Bichette's market appears to be a bit different. At least, it did.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Blue Jays' path to re-signing Bichette got a little more difficult, as the Boston Red Sox are now in the fray for Bichette.
Red Sox interest in Bo Bichette complicates Blue Jays' free agent plans
"Retaining free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman is a priority for the Boston Red Sox." Sammon and Rosenthal write. "But some with the club view Bo Bichette, previously a division rival with the Toronto Blue Jays, as an intriguing alternative."
Bichette was bound to draw interest from plenty of teams around baseball. A team like the New York Yankees will always be linked to top free agents, and the Atlanta Braves have a huge hole to fill at shortstop, so both of those teams' interest isn't far-fetched.
However, the Red Sox's interest in Bichette could complicate things. Not only could the Red Sox's involvement drive up the price tag of Bichette, but they also pose a realistic threat to swipe him from Toronto.
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Losing Bichette in free agency is a possibility, but losing him to a division rival would be a tough way for Toronto to miss out on their biggest outgoing free agent.
Boston wouldn't be using Bichette at shortstop, placing him at second base with Trevor Story manning the shortstop spot. If Bichette is adamant about playing shortstop, then the Red Sox likely out.
But if he's interested in a move to second base long term, then the Blue Jays would be at risk of losing Bichette, since Boston could be willing to spend big on the 28-year-old infielder.
The Red Sox joining the Bichette sweepstakes makes things a bit trickier for the Blue Jays this winter. Whether it's just in driving the price up or losing Bichette completely, the Red Sox being involved could negatively impact the Blue Jays' chance of retaining Bichette.
More Blue Jays News:
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- Bo Bichette predicted to betray Blue Jays, sign with AL East rival in MLB free agency
- Kyle Tucker's Blue Jays visit sparks 'dream' potential lineup for Toronto
- Kyle Tucker spotted at Blue Jays facility, per MLB insider
- Dylan Cease contract details for $210 million Blue Jays deal revealed