Should the Miami Marlins target a real upgrade at SS?!

Neil Raymond

Bo Bichette / Stephen Maturen/GettyImages

The Miami Marlins need a SS and the 2023 starter Joey Wendle, has now signed with the New York Mets. The rumor mill is buzzing about the possibility of the Toronto Blue Jays making a splash this off-season. One of the possibilities is trading their star SS Bo Bichette. Toronto GM Ross Atkins downplayed the possibility of a trade, but as they say "when there's smoke there's fire."

Should the Miami Marlins target Toronto Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette in a trade?

Bo Bichette has been with the Toronto Blue Jays from the 2019 season. He debuted in 2019 with an impressive .311/.358/.571 batting line, with 11 home runs and 21 RBI in 46 games and 196 AB. It was a great debut, worth 2.4 WAR. In the shortened 2020 season, he batted .301/.328/.512 with 5 home runs and 23 RBI. Bo's first full season came in 2021, as Bichette batted .298/.343/.484 with 29 home runs and 102 RBI, in 159 games and 640 AB.

2021 showcased Bo Bichette as a legit star, who even finished 12'th in AL MVP voting. He was worth 5.8 WAR, with a very impressive 1.0 dWAR. He looked to be one of the best SS's in the Majors at that point. 2022 was interesting for Bichette. He batted .290/333/.469 with 24 home runs and 93 RBI, but was worth a 3.6 WAR and a -0.8 dWAR. There were serious questions about his defense at SS going forward.

In 2023, Bo Bichette batted .306/.339/.475, with 20 home runs and 73 RBI in 135 games and 571 AB. He was worth 4.9 WAR and a much-improved 1.3 dWAR. Bichette is a free agent in two seasons, which is why there's even a question of Toronto potentially shopping him. Of course they can just sign him to an extension, but perhaps they have questions over his defense, and think that he'll be worth less at a different position.

For the record, I wouldn't bet on Bo Bichette being traded, but if he is the Miami Marlins should absolutely look into acquiring him. The cost wouldn't be cheap, but why not see what can possibly work?

Neil Raymond

Neil Raymond has been a lifelong Miami Marlins fan, with the 2003 playoff run being one of his favorite childhood memories. Neil has been called a "walking encyclopedia" for his knowledge of MLB statistics and the sport's history. He follows every game and actually invented his own statistic for player value on his side project BaseballAnalyzed.com. Writing for Fansided's Marlin Maniac since 2022, he also loves Fantasy Baseball and as such is an FSWA member. Neil also loves to travel, read and follow "Futbol" teams: Germany, Argentina, Greece, Inter Miami, Bayern Munich and NYC FC.