Cubs Eye Bo Bichette as 2026 Free-Agent Bargain: A Blue Jays Shortstop Revival to Fix Wrigley’s Infield Woes?.vc
Chicago, October 28, 2025 – The Chicago Cubs’ 2025 was a tale of promise and peril: A 92-70 regular season and NLDS berth, powered by Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 30-30 fireworks and Shōta Imanaga’s splitter sorcery, but plagued by shortstop inconsistency from Dansby Swanson’s .236 slump (7 HRs, 20 RBIs in 37 games). With Swanson’s $177M deal through 2028 drawing trade whispers and free agency offering upgrades, Bo Bichette emerges as the perfect low-cost splash. The Blue Jays’ 28-year-old shortstop, coming off a calf-plagued .225/.287/.354 line in 37 games, projects as a buy-low gem at 3 years, $45 million—affordable amid the Cubs’ $180M payroll crunch. As Jed Hoyer hunts infield stability, could Bichette’s pedigree (2021 All-Star, .290 career AVG) revive Toronto’s castoff into Chicago’s cornerstone? Wrigley’s waiting.
Bichette’s 2025 Fade: From Blue Jays Star to Bargain Bin?
Bichette’s 2025 was a nightmare. A right calf strain sidelined him from April 13 to July 28, limiting him to 37 games with a dismal .225 average, 4 homers, 20 RBIs, and a .641 OPS—his worst since 2019. The Blue Jays’ 78-84 finish amplified his struggles, with Toronto’s front office signaling a rebuild that leaves Bichette—a 2016 first-rounder—exposed in free agency after 2025. His $10.5M salary and $17M club option (declined) make him arb-eligible for one year, projecting a $15–18M AAV long-term deal—down from 2021’s .298/.341/.484 breakout (.847 OPS, All-Star).
Yet, at 28, Bichette’s tools endure: A .290 career average, 80-grade speed (20+ SBs yearly), and Gold Glove-caliber range (10 DRS in 2023). “Injury-riddled, but his bat’s rebound-ready,” a scout told MLB Trade Rumors. Toronto’s youth movement (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s extension) signals he’s expendable, positioning him as Chicago’s ideal shortstop fix.
Why Bichette Fits Wrigley: Swanson’s Slump and Cubs’ Need
Swanson’s 2025 regression—.236/.288/.439, 7 HRs in 37 games—highlighted Chicago’s infield Achilles’ heel: 24th in MLB for shortstop wRC+ (85) and defensive miscues ( -5 OAA). With Swanson’s $25M AAV through 2028 drawing trade buzz (Yankees, Phillies circling), Hoyer eyes a reset. Bichette’s righty bat (.800+ OPS vs. LHP) counters Wrigley’s wind-aided lefty pull, while his speed (20 SBs in 2024) pairs with Nico Hoerner’s glue for a dynamic double-play duo.
The Cubs’ 2025 NLDS loss to Milwaukee exposed shortstop fragility—Swanson’s .154 postseason average in simulations. Bichette’s pedigree—2021 All-Star, 2022 Gold Glove—offers proven pop at a steal, freeing payroll for Tucker’s $401M saga or Imanaga’s extension. “Bo’s a buy-low bet on talent,” Hoyer hinted at winter meetings prep. On X, fans buzz: “Bichette over Swanson? Fresh start!” one poll hit 40K votes, 62% yes.
The Contract Play: Affordable Upgrade or Risky Rebound?
Spotrac projects Bichette at 3 years, $45 million ($15M AAV)—a fraction of Swanson’s $25M, with opt-outs after year two for upside. His 2025 calf rehab (full recovery by spring) and age-28 prime mitigate risks, projecting .285/.340/.470 and 3.0 WAR in Wrigley’s confines (top-5 park factor for RHB). Rivals like the Giants (shortstop void) and Phillies (Trea Turner’s $300M anchor) lurk, but Chicago’s NL Central edge and Crow-Armstrong’s outfield lock make it a fit.
| Player | 2025 AVG/OPS | HR | WAR | Projected AAV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dansby Swanson | .236/.727 | 7 | 1.2 | $25M |
| Bo Bichette | .225/.641 | 4 | 0.5 | $15M |
Alternatives: If Bichette Balks
No Bichette? Hoyer pivots: Free-agent Willy Adames (.260/.330/.480, 32 HRs) at $18M AAV, or trade for Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson (extension-eligible, 4.5 WAR). Internal option: Promote top prospect Matt Shaw (.285/.380/.520 at Triple-A) for a rookie bridge.
Conclusion
Bo Bichette’s depressed market turns a Blue Jays bust into a Cubs boon—a $45M shortstop savior to jolt Swanson’s slump and fuel 2026 contention. At 28, his rebound potential fits Hoyer’s blueprint: Affordable talent, high upside. Cubs fans, this isn’t a pipe dream—it’s a power play. Sign Bo, and Wrigley’s infield ignites.
