The Boston Red Sox may have just tipped their hand - and it looks like the focus has shifted.
By locking in lefty starter Ranger Suárez on a $130 million deal, the Sox may be signaling a move away from chasing a marquee bat in free agency. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re out of the Bo Bichette sweepstakes, but if they’re still in, the path just got a lot more crowded.
Why? Because Kyle Tucker is off the board.
Tucker’s decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers has seemingly reignited Toronto’s interest in bringing back their star shortstop. The Blue Jays had been heavily pursuing Tucker after already landing third baseman Kazuma Okamoto.
That pursuit made it seem like they were preparing to move on from Bichette. But with Tucker now headed west, Toronto’s front office may be circling back to familiar territory - and fast.
That’s a big wrinkle for any team hoping to pry Bichette away from the Blue Jays. And make no mistake, there are contenders lining up.
The Philadelphia Phillies are still very much in the mix, and they’re not exactly known for half-measures when it comes to roster building. The Yankees have also shown interest, which only adds to the intensity of the chase.
Boston’s situation is a bit more complicated. They weren’t considered the front-runners once the Phillies and Yankees entered the conversation, but after missing out on Alex Bregman, there’s a sense that the Red Sox might feel some pressure to make a splash. Bichette would certainly qualify.
Still, Boston’s recent moves suggest a different kind of strategy. With Suárez joining the rotation and a crowded outfield already in place, the Red Sox don’t appear to be pivoting toward someone like Cody Bellinger - a name that’s expected to draw interest from teams who missed on Tucker.
That tells us Boston is being selective. If they’re going to add a bat, it’s going to be the right fit - and Bichette, a dynamic shortstop with a proven bat, still checks a lot of boxes.
But if the Red Sox are serious about bringing him to Fenway, now’s the time to act. The market is heating up, and the Blue Jays aren’t going to sit on their hands. They know what Bichette means to their lineup and their fanbase, and with Tucker no longer an option, that door may be swinging back open.
The bidding war is on. The question is: will Boston get in deep, or are they already playing a different game?