Kyle Tucker is heading to Los Angeles, and the Dodgers just made a massive statement-inking the star outfielder to a four-year deal worth a staggering $60 million per year. That’s not just a big contract; that’s superstar money, and it signals exactly how serious the Dodgers are about loading up for another title run.
But Tucker’s move west doesn’t just shake up L.A.’s outfield-it sends ripple effects across the league, especially north of the border. The Toronto Blue Jays were firmly in the mix for Tucker, and missing out on him leaves a glaring question: what’s the plan now, and does it include Bo Bichette?
So far, all signs point to no.
Despite being one of the more aggressive teams this offseason-making multiple key signings and clearly signaling their intent to contend-the Blue Jays have not prioritized re-signing Bichette. That’s a bit surprising on the surface.
Bichette is young, talented, and has been a cornerstone of their lineup. But according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, Toronto’s front office has never really been in on bringing him back.
Even with the money they had earmarked for Tucker now back in play, Rosenthal says he still expects Bichette to land in Philadelphia.
“I don’t expect them to sign Bo Bichette. I have not expected it the entire offseason,” Rosenthal said. “They have money that they would have devoted to Kyle Tucker and they could re-direct to Bichette, but I still believe rather strongly that Bichette’s gonna end up with the Philadelphia Phillies.”
That’s a bold take, but it lines up with how the Blue Jays have been operating. Tucker was clearly a target, and now that he’s off the board, Toronto may pivot to other options-Cody Bellinger is one name floating around.
But Bichette? It seems like that ship sailed early in the offseason.
For Bichette, this is a pivotal moment in his career. He’s proven he can perform on the big stage, and teams know he brings both consistency and upside.
He’s not just a fan favorite in Toronto-he’s a legitimate franchise player. But being viewed as a fallback option can be tough for any athlete, especially one with Bichette’s résumé.
The Dodgers have their guy in Tucker, and the Blue Jays, for whatever reason, don’t seem eager to bring Bo back into the fold.
That leaves the Phillies as the most logical landing spot. They have the resources, the need, and the win-now mentality to make a serious push for a player like Bichette. And if Rosenthal’s read on the situation is right, that’s exactly where this is headed.
Bottom line: Toronto swung big for Tucker and missed. But their next move might say even more about their long-term vision. And for Bo Bichette, a fresh start in Philadelphia could be the beginning of his next chapter-one where he’s not just a backup plan, but a centerpiece.