Despite rumors linking the Yankees to Blue Jays free agent SS/2B Bo Bichette if Cody Bellinger walks in free agency, it was reported by the Yankees’ YES Network’s Jack Curry that the Yankees are unlikely to sign the Blue Jays free agent at this point.
Curry stated this evening on Yankees Hot Stove that “right now, a “Yankees Bichette marriage seems unlikely.” Curry did confirm the reports that the Yankees did in fact “check in”on Bichette and his free agency market, but points to the fact that the Yankees have also done that with star free agents such as Kyle Tucker and others, characterizing this as simply due diligence on Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s part more than anything as it pertains to free agents, according to Curry.
Bichette Is One Of The Best Hitters In This Free Agent Class
Bo Bichette is considered to be one of the top hitters on the free agent market this year, posting a .311 batting average with an .840 OPS and 129 OPS + to go along with 18 home runs, and a huge three run home run in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series after battling his way back onto the field after suffering a left knee sprain earlier during the year in September during a collision at home plate.
He’s a tremendous bat-to-ball hitter with some power, bringing the presence of a right-handed hitter who can also hit leadoff. Bichette has age on his side, too, being just 27.
Yankees Still Pursuing Cody Bellinger
Curry adds that the Yankees are having “ongoing discussions” with Cody Bellinger, confirming reports of a first offer by Jon Heyman, and then a second offer yesterday by Joel Sherman. Curry also mentions how there’s obviously still “a gap”between talks about Bellinger from the Yankees and his agent Scott Boras, but confirms there is “optimism” as the conversations between the two sides are “continuous”, states Curry.
The one downside with Bichette is his infield defense. He’s graded as a -13 OAA (Outs Above Average) in 2025, which ranks in the bottom one percent amongst shortstops in 2025, according to Baseball Savant. It’s been reported previously by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that Bichette is open to playing second base for interested teams.
Bichette has also slowed down as a baserunner, which can partly be attributed to his knee injury and possibly to worry about long-term recovery, despite performing well offensively upon his return in the 2025 World Series and not being 100 percent.
The Unknown With The Yankees Offseason Trajectory
The Yankees’ larger offseason plans remain a mystery. Curry confirmed they are heavily involved in Bellinger still and those discussions, as well as mentioning the Edward Cabrera trade talks with the Marlins, but citing nothing is “close at the moment”, as well as the Yankees having other discussions in the starting pitching market, including talks around different names, being Mackenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals and Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers, says Curry.
It’s a mystery what the Yankees will do if Bellinger doesn’t return to the team, but until then, the odds of the Yankees bringing in Bo Bichette seem more like a dream than reality. What will be interesting, to say the least, is if this changes at all within the coming months, depending on who the Yankees sign and/or trade for, especially in left field with Bellinger and young outfielders Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones.
Yankees Unlikely To Sign This Star Blue Jays Free Agent