By Shaun McAvoyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Toronto Blue Jays have an important personnel decision to make in free agency.
The Blue Jays have already made one of the biggest moves this offseason with the signing of Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract, but now need to direct their attention toward retaining star shortstop Bo Bichette.
After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Blue Jays, Bichette is set to be one of the most sought-after free agents available this offseason. The two-time All-Star enjoyed one of his best offensive seasons of his career this year, slashing .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs and nearly won the World Series for Toronto with a Game 7 home run.
If the Blue Jays are unable to bring back Bichette this offseason, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller suggested that the team should pursue Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte as a backup plan.
..."Toronto is already set to have an Opening Day infield of Guerrero, Andrés Giménez, Ernie Clement and Addison Barger alongside an outfield of George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Nathan Lukes, plus Anthony Santander at DH," Miller wrote Sunday. "Throw in Davis Schneider, Myles Straw and Joey Loperfido as reserves and the Jays' lineup is already way better off than most.
"But if they want to do something and can't quite justify going close to $200M for Bichette, maybe they can trade for the six years and $103.5M remaining on Ketel Marte's contract? The downside, of course, is they would need to part with enough talent to actually pique Arizona's interest, but that's why it's a Plan B."
Marte would be a cheap alternative to Bichette, as he's on a six-year, $116 million contract, according to Spotrac. The 32-year-old is a three-time All-Star and has been named an All-Star in back-to-back seasons. Though Marte was primarily used as a second baseman this season, he has experience at shortstop as well and could plug in wherever the Blue Jays want him.
Bichette will have a lot of suitors in free agency this offseason, so Toronto needs to be prepared in case the team loses the star shortstop.
More MLB: Blue Jays Receive Harsh Criticism For 31-Year-Old’s Bad Contract
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