The loss of Don Mattingly could loom large.
Earlier this week, former Toronto Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly officially signed onto the same role with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Now, we knew that Mattingly wouldn't be returning fairly early in the offseason, but he officially found a new home in Philadelphia this week, and it makes sense, considering his son is the general manager there.
We don't necessarily know how big a loss Mattingly will be for the Blue Jays on the field, but any time you disrupt a staff that helped you get to the World Series, it's at least notable.
But it might be a much bigger loss than anyone anticipated, and here's why, according to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.
My sources are telling me the Phillies are now the favorites to sign Bo Bichette. Started once they signed Don Mattingly - Bo’s guy - as bench coach. There’s strong mutual interest that could result in a deal when they meet next week. Phillies will then need to move Alec Bohm
Bichette is meeting with the Phillies on Monday.
The Jays are at real risk here
Again, we have been asking for weeks if the Blue Jays really want Bichette back, so maybe they are unaffected by this news.
But, if they have wanted Bichette back and just haven't been able to get something done yet, then it looks like the momentum is building for him to leave Toronto, and that would be a devastating outcome for many fans.
If you go to any corner of Blue Jays' social media, you will notice fans who continuously say that the offseason priority should be to retain Bichette. They will not be happy if he leaves, despite the other additions Toronto has made.
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How much will he cost?
No one knows exactly what Bichette will land in free agency, but reports on Thursday indicated he wanted $300 million or so. That would put him in line with other top shortstops including Corey Seager, Francisco Lindor, Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner, who currently plays for the Phillies.
If Bichette signed in Philadlephia, he'd likely have to move to third base, which is why Madden says they'd need to move Alec Bohm.
How would the Blue Jays answer this loss?
Well, they could keep the newly-signed Kazuma Okamoto at third and move Ernie Clement to second. Or, they could go out and sign outfielder Kyle Tucker, moving Addison Barger to third, Clement to second and Okamoto into a super-utility role, something we've heard is the preference anyways.
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