Tigers Rumors: Bo Bichette trade buzz resurfacing feels like worst-case scenario

If the Tigers continue winning at their current pace, they could be a team to watch at the trade deadline not in their usual role as sellers, but as big buyers. The young core they've developed has proven it can deliver, but shoring up the roster with one more power bat or another high-leverage reliever would show the rest of the league that the Tigers really mean business through August, September, and (knock on wood) the postseason.

Bo Bichette, a popular trade candidate last year, should be expected to be one again this season. The Blue Jays are tied for third in the AL East with the Rays and are playing sub-.500 baseball. Bichette is in a walk year and openly admitted that he expected to be traded at the deadline last year. Unless the Jays extend him, which seems unlikely, he'll probably be available.

Bichette's been loosely connected to Detroit in years past as a candidate to replace Javy Báez at shortstop, and in his latest mailbag, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic threw Bichette's name out again as a potential addition for Detroit. But Báez has somehow turned into an effective utility player and his bat is actually working this year, which has allowed Trey Sweeney (also hitting well) to shift over to shortstop basically full-time. So would Bichette really be a fit?

Bo Bichette was named as a potential trade candidate for the Tigers again, but would he actually fit?

Bichette's bat hasn't really shown signs of renewal this season after an injury-shortened, career-worst 2024, so Toronto might have to stick with him until the year's over and wait for him to go his own way in free agency in the event there isn't much interest in him.

But of course, a lot could change between now and July 31. Bichette could get better, Báez could go back to his usual ways, Sweeney could cool down, guys could get hurt. The Guardians or Royals could catch up to the Tigers in the standings, necessitating a big push at the trade deadline to get Detroit over the last hill.

If the trade deadline were tomorrow, or established trends continue, eyeing Bichette in July won't make much sense, and the Tigers would be better off looking for more outfield support (especially if Parker Meadows isn't bouncing back well from his stint on the 60-day IL) or third base options, if Jace Jung continues to struggle at the plate. It's hard to see how Bichette would fit into the Tigers' grand plan.