Bo Bichette's blunt trade deadline comments should increase Dodgers buzz

Bo Bichette has been one of the most popular names attached to the Dodgers as a trade possibility at the deadline. He ranks as the more expensive option for shortstop when put up against the likes of Paul DeJong, who LA could also take a look at while they chase fellow White Sox Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet.

Bichette's been having an up-and-down season and is currently stuck in a down; he's batted .190 with a .501 OPS in June, coming down from a .280/.731 May. Overall, the Blue Jays have been in rough shape, running in last place in the AL East, and their odds of making the postseason have plummeted to 5.6%.

Pending an immediate surge, Toronto is gearing up to sell at the deadline and the Dodgers could take advantage. It's still unclear whether or not LA is actively hunting for a shortstop replacement, but if they're not, they should be. Despite his struggles this year, Bichette would probably still command a top-tier trade package if he's dealt, given his age, All-Star pedigree, and one season left under team control. No matter the cost, LA should do whatever it has to do to get Mookie Betts back to second or the outfield.

For his part, Bichette knows that vultures are circling. He told reporters on Thursday that he wouldn't be "surprised at all" if he was traded, which makes it sound like he already has a foot out the door.

Potential Dodgers trade target Bo Bichette wouldn't be "surprised at all" if he was traded at the deadline

Given his play this season, Bichette might not be totally ideal as an acquisition, considering the Dodgers would probably have to let a promising prospect or two go for his services despite the downturn. Outside of Bichette, it's looking like it'll be slim pickings on shortstops at the deadline, and he might be the best they can get, as well as the only available player in his tier.. He has a higher ceiling than DeJong, whose much better 2024 season shouldn't distract from how he fared in 2023, when he bounced around three different organizations and hit .207 on the year.

If nothing else, Bichette would come to LA more moldable and with a more consistent track record of good performance behind him than DeJong. This is a guy who hit .298 with a .815 OPS from 2021-2023 and led the league in hits twice in 2021 and 2022. He's also got flash and a flair for the dramatic.

The Dodgers have already proven themselves to be capable of turning players' seasons around, and we already know there's plenty the hitting staff could unlock within Bichette if he comes to a team that's all but guaranteed to make it to the postseason this year. At the right price, or even the slightly wrong one, it's probably worth a shot.