If the Philadelphia Phillies are serious about signing Bo Bichette, reports have indicate dthat it might be much more expensive than initially believed.
It’s almost to the point where it doesn’t even make sense for the Phillies to sign him.
According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, Bichette and his agency are currently looking for around $300 million. It remains uncertain if he’d be content with taking $250 million, or if he’s really looking for something around, say, $298 million.
“As an ultra young free agent at 27, Bichette’s ask is thought around $300 million, which at first blush may sound high considering that’s the ballpark of even more accomplished shortstops Corey Seager, Trea Turner and Francisco Lindor, but maybe not when you consider how deals for Juan Soto and Bichette’s teammate/great friend Vlad Guerrero Jr. moved the market,” he wrote.
“(Logic says Seager at 27 might get $500M today considering that’s what Guerrero got.)”
While $300 million is eye-popping, it’s not insane in this market, especially for a 27-year-old shortstop who has led the league in hits two times.
Giving him that much would be tough to justify, but if the Phillies don’t, there’s certainly a chance another team would.
Philadelphia has shown a willingness to spend aggressively when its window is open, but this would be a tad different. Committing that kind of money would require the Phillies to be willing to spend with the best of them for nearly another decade.
While it’s a lot of money to consider a deal, Bichette would upgrade the infield and help an offense that can be incredible when it is clicking.
