BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES? COME ON, MAN!

Some of these baseball trade proposals are so far out there, it feels like writers are spending more time in a fantasy league than the real world. Case in point: Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports decided to shake up the offseason boredom with a blockbuster idea that has the Yankees trading for—wait for it—Bo Bichette. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good hot stove debate, but this one? It’s like something cooked up after three espressos and a nap in the Trade Machine.

Here’s Prasad’s pitch: “Bichette would be a good investment on the infield and in the lineup, especially if he can maintain health. How do we get him to the Bronx? A packaged deal would include a main infielder such as (Anthony) Volpe or (Oswaldo) Cabrera and a prospect.”

Oh, Nick. God love ya.

Let’s break this down. Bichette, a two-time All-Star, has been a cornerstone for the Blue Jays, but he’s coming off a 2024 season that saw his offense take a nosedive. Sure, a change of scenery might help him rebound in the final year of his current contract, but are we really talking about this? Volpe, the Yankees’ golden boy, a Gold Glove winner, and Mr. 60-RBI-a-year, is not exactly someone you toss into a trade willy-nilly. Cabrera, while more of a Swiss Army knife for the Yankees, also brings value with his versatility.

And if the Yankees were a video game, wouldn't it be cool for the Yankees infield to have Bichette at short, Volpe sliding over to second, and Jazz Chisholm at third. “Currently, Anthony Volpe is a hot topic,” Prasad notes. “This may be a key piece for the Yankees to possibly either move over to second base or trade. Why move to second base? To make room for a veteran trade.”

Man, there's a lot going on there to wrap my head around.

Oh, Nick. My guy. A Jazz-Bichette-Volpe infield is certainly fun to dream about, but the reality check is hitting like a 100-mph Gerrit Cole fastball. First, let’s acknowledge the Yankees’ attachment to Volpe, who is more or less the future of the franchise. Second, trading for Bichette and giving up key young pieces feels like swapping a fully charged phone for a battery pack on 10%. And third—well, who’s trading Jazz Chisholm anytime soon? What is happening?

Here’s the thing: Personally, I love this idea but I don't truly see it.  Full disclosure, I adore the Bichette family. Here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we’ve had some lovely chats with Bo’s mom Mariana (read MOTHER'S DAY WITH THE BICHETTES) and Dante Bichette Jr, and there’s a bond there. But even with all that goodwill, this trade idea is, shall we say, a little far-fetched.

Nick, I get it—the offseason is fun, and we’re all trying to spice things up. But this one? It’s a trade proposal straight out of the multiverse. Thanks for the entertainment, though. You’ve definitely given us something to talk about—and laugh about—until spring training rolls around.

I got a big smile today, the last day of 2024!