Toronto Blue Jays Insider Thinks Team Can Still Sign Bo Bichette

6 days ago 2

On Saturday, the Toronto Blue Jays came to terms with Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto on a four-year deal worth $60 million.

About to turn 30 years old, he's a solid offensive player, and he should fit right in with what the Blue Jays are about. He walks a lot, doesn't strike out a lot, and had six seasons of 30 homers or more in Japan.

However, on the surface, his signing represents a closing of doors on both the Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker fronts for Toronto.

But Jays Insider Keegan Matheson of MLB.com doesn't think that's the case, and he specifically talked about the fit for Bichette still existing on Sportscentre.

As it sits right now, Okamoto is slated to play third base for the Blue Jays, at least primarily. Of course, he could mix in some DH days or a day at first base, but third base will primarily be his.

This will force Ernie Clement to second and Andres Gimenez to short and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will stick at first. Addison Barger will be sent to right field. Again, on the surface, there's no room for Bichette, who just hit .311 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs.

Matheson thinks that the Jays could be comfortable moving Clement to a super-utility role and making him their do-everything bench player. If they are willing to do that, then Bichette becomes an option.

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The idea of a super-utility player is great. A Ben Zobrist-type is fun to watch, and it's fun to see how the manager will use him that day. That said, this is a different scenario. Guerrero is making $500 million. He's not coming off the field to get Clement game action.

If Bichette is signed, he'll make at least $150 million. He's not coming off the field to get Clement game action. And Okamoto is making $60 million. Are they really going to pull him off the field for Clement? Gimenez has nearly a $100 million deal, so we ask the same question.

Maybe the Jays will find each of those players one rest day a week in order to get Clement in four-five times per week, but teams that pay that much money for players, tend to like those players to play as much as they can.

Clement also wouldn't be a big pinch-hitting option late, despite how good he was in the playoffs. The lineup is just too stacked for him to be needed in that role in most situations.

The Blue Jays appear to be very much in a 'sign first, ask questions later,' situation. Perhaps they'll just sign Bichette and figure it out - and then of course, injuries will happen, and that could make all this talk go away.

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