Imagine the shock of a seasoned shortstop like Bo Bichette suddenly fielding grounders at second or third base – is this a game-changer for his career, or just a clever way for teams to unlock his talent in new ways? Buckle up, because the buzz around this two-time All-Star is heating up as free agency looms, and it might reshape how we view position versatility in Major League Baseball.
Let’s break it down: Reports are swirling that several MLB franchises are eyeing free-agent shortstop Bo Bichette to step into the role of a second baseman or even a third baseman come the 2026 season. According to insider Jon Morosi from MLB Network, these interested teams already have solid shortstops locked in, so they’re thinking outside the box. It’s an intriguing pivot for the 27-year-old, who has spent his seven-year career solidly at shortstop – that infield position known for its quick reflexes and strong throws.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Bichette’s recent struggles at shortstop could be fueling this shift. After a knee injury in early September limited his mobility, he made his MLB debut at second base during the World Series – his very first time at that ‘keystone’ position. For those new to baseball lingo, second base is often called the keystone because it’s central to the infield diamond. He hasn’t touched third base at all in the big leagues, though. On the stats front, Bichette didn’t shine at short this past season: He ranked last among major leaguers in ‘outs above average,’ which is a fancy way of saying he didn’t convert as many routine plays into outs as expected. With 130 starts at short in 2025, he also fell in the 36th percentile for arm strength – meaning his throws weren’t among the strongest in the league. Some fans might argue this makes him a perfect fit for a less demanding spot like second or third, where quick feet and solid contact hitting matter more than elite fielding. Others could see it as a downgrade, questioning if it diminishes his value or if teams are just trying to squeeze out every bit of his offensive prowess.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the defensive challenges, Bichette’s bat remains a powerhouse. He crushed 18 home runs, set a career high with 44 doubles, drove in 94 runs, and posted an impressive .840 OPS during the regular season – OPS combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage to show overall offensive output. In the World Series, he kept swinging hot: .348 batting average, .444 on-base percentage, .478 slugging, plus one homer and six RBIs. For beginners, think of it as him delivering clutch hits that helped his team punch through tough defenses.
Now, the Toronto Blue Jays aren’t ready to let him walk away. General manager Ross Atkins has made it clear they’re pushing to re-sign Bichette, who’ll enter free agency with a qualifying offer – basically a contractual incentive to keep him in Toronto. And Bichette himself has voiced his preference to stay put in the city he calls home. But with other teams sniffing around for a positional switch, is this loyalty test going to pay off, or will the allure of a fresh start tempt him elsewhere?
What do you think – should Bichette embrace a position change to extend his prime, or is sticking at shortstop the way to go, even if it means facing tough defensive realities? Is this a smart adaptation by teams, or does it undervalue a player’s original skills? Share your hot takes in the comments below – do you agree with the Blue Jays’ stance, or side with the clubs eyeing him for a move? Let’s debate!