We have already looked at three possible landing spots for Guerrero. Let’s take a look at where Bichette could end up.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have one of the best records (53-31) in baseball despite mediocre production at short.
Brayan Rocchio was the Guardians’ sixth-best prospect at the end of 2023 according to MLB.com, a switch hitter with line drive power and high baseball intelligence. He has not lived up to that billing thus far in Cleveland, having produced a .218/.313/.315 batting line in 251 plate appearances, hitting three homers and 12 doubles. The Guardians rank 26th with a .606 OPS from their shortstops. Bichette is not living up to his usual standards, but he may need a change of scenery. He would also give Rocchio more time to develop as he is under team control through 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers do not have a problem at short. Mookie Betts has continued show his versatility, comfortably slotting in at short. He ranks fourth in the National League in zone runs saved at the position. The Dodgers’ problem is at second, where Gavin Lux has failed to recapture the form he showed before tearing his ACL.
Betts is sidelined as he deals with a wrist injury. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported that manager Dave Roberts may shift Betts back to second given the surprising performance of Miguel Rojas. However, the Dodgers lineup is very top heavy, struggling to find consistency beyond the first five hitters in the batting order. Rojas has not performed at his current level over the course of a full season, the 2020 pandemic-shortened year excluded. Bichette would help lengthen the Dodgers’ lineup while keeping Rojas in the utility role that he is best suited for.
Seattle Mariners
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is always ready to make a deal. The Mariners’ roster should look different once the trade deadline has passed.
According to Jon Morosi from MLB Network, the Mariners have already begun trade talks as they seek an everyday bat and bullpen help. The middle of the infield is a particular area of need as neither J.P. Crawford nor Jorge Polanco have performed at a league average level. Bichette could help a lineup that ranks in the bottom third in virtually every offensive category in the American League as the Mariners look to return to the postseason.
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