After a heartbreaking Game 7 that saw the Toronto Blue Jays lose the World Series, Blue Jays fans may receive some even more heartbreaking news in the next couple of months. With shortstop Bo Bichette entering free agency, the San Diego Padres could throw a big contract at the two-time All-Star.

In a recent Bleacher Report article ranking the potential landing spots for Bichette, the Padres sat at number four.

“The Padres have a gaping hole in the infield with Luis Arraez slated for free agency,” writer Kerry Miller wrote. “And between Bogaerts' 2B/SS possibility and Jake Cronenworth's ability to play first or second base, the Dads can kind of have their pick of the litter as far as where in the field to make a splash.”

If Padres general manager A.J. Preller were to make the move on Bichette, he’d give whoever becomes manager a few options in the infield. Bichette has only played shortstop in his career, but his defensive abilities suggest he’d be more likely to move to second base over Xander Bogaerts. In this case, Bogaerts would stay at short while Cronenworth would slide over to first base to round out the infield. An infield of Manny Machado at third, Bogaerts at shortstop, Bichette at second, and Cronenworth at first is as potent as it gets, but is it likely?

Bichette will demand a huge contract in free agency, with his estimated market value sitting at eight years, $186 million. It’s a huge sum, but for a player who hit 63 extra base-hits on a .311 average and .840 OPS, is worth the hefty price. Bichette also enters free agency at just 27 years old, making a long-term commitment less risky than you’d typically see for free agents.

The question is whether the Padres are willing to cough up the money it would take to bring Bichette to San Diego. They already have five players set to make at least $20 million in 2026. Despite this, they still have glaring holes in their roster, namely the starting rotation. If Preller is to splurge on a big name in free agency again, it’s more likely to come in the form of a starting pitcher than Bichette.

It wouldn’t be surprising if San Diego spends the big bucks to bring in rotational help and focuses on less impactful, but still serviceable, infielders like Isiah Kiner-Falefa or Adam Frazier. With this strategy, the Padres can still fill in their holes in the infield while also being able to bolster their starting rotation, increasing their chances for a deep 2026 postseason push.