Blue Jays general manager pours cold water on potential SF Giants trade target

Could Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette reunite with the SF Giants on the left side of the field in 2025? Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told Jon Morosi of the MLB Network that it is "an easy no" on trade inquiries for Bichette.

Blue Jays general manager pours cold water on potential SF Giants trade target

Atkins' response can be viewed a couple of different ways. The first way is for teams to try and put forth a better offer by conveying this to the media. The second way is that the Blue Jays are not interested in moving Bichette.

The second way seems more likely for a few reasons. First and foremost, Bichette is coming off of a disastrous 2024 campaign. The right-handed bat slashed .225/.277/.322 (71 wRC+) with four home runs, 31 RBI, and 29 runs in 336 plate appearances. This includes a 6.0 percent walk rate, 19.0 percent strikeout rate, and .096 ISO.

Not surprisingly, this was Bichette's worst offensive output in nearly every meaningful category in his six-year career. In fairness, he did battle a calf strain that required two, separate stints on the injured list and he finished the year on the shelf following a fractured finger.

The 26-year-old appeared in at least 130 games per season from 2021 - 2023, but he was limited to just 81 games in 2024. When he was healthy, he was one of the better shortstops in baseball as he tallied an .815 OPS while hitting at least 20 home runs in each of the three seasons prior to 2024.

While Bichette's bat was what led to him earning two AL All-Star nods, he had graded out as a below-average defensive shortstop throughout his career. He has registered -7 Defensive Runs Saved, -18 Outs Above Average (OAA), and -13 Fielding Run Value (FRV) in six seasons at shortstop. Perhaps, a move to second base will be in the cards down the road.

Nevertheless, if the Blue Jays considered moving him this winter, they would undoubtedly being selling him when his value is at its lowest. The young infielder is entering the final year of a three-year, $33.6 million deal, so the Blue Jays could hope that his performance rebounds and try to trade him at the deadline. Or, they could hold on to him and issue a qualifying offer next season, thereby getting a draft pick back if he departs via free agency.

The Giants need a shortstop and Bichette has become a popular trade target among Giants fans. They could address this need in free agency as well with both Willy Adames and Ha-Seong Kim recently hitting the open market.