The post Giants trade target candidate Bichette explains top priorities appeared first on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Giants shuffled the shortstop position this week by designating two-time Gold Glove winner Nick Ahmed as a player to be designated for assignment, and if Brett Wiseley and Tyler Fitzgerald can’t adequately fill the hole over the next two weeks, the front office may have to explore outside options.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has been rumored to be a player who could be moved before the MLB trade deadline on July 30, and he could be just what the Giants need.
Bichette, a two-time American League All-Star who is under contract for just over $17.5 million through the 2025 MLB season, spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Carlos Ramirez before Wednesday’s Giants-Blue Jays game at Oracle Park about what he’d look for in a potential new team.
“For me, first and foremost, I want to win,” Bichette told Ramirez, “If I was picking a team, that would be my No. 1 priority, and the Giants are obviously committed to that, so I think they’re in a position to get the right type of player, and I think that’s the key.”
The 26-year-old Florida native played in his first game at Oracle Park this week and is enjoying his first experience at the ballpark.
“It’s amazing,” Bichette told Ramirez. “Beautiful. I didn’t know what to expect when I was watching it on TV. Honestly, it looked too big on TV, but then I got here and it couldn’t have been better. It felt like a real ballpark and I really enjoyed playing yesterday.”
Bichette was hitless in five at-bats with four strikeouts in his first two games at Oracle Park. He was replaced in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game with a calf injury.
The Blue Jays (42-50) are languishing at the bottom of the American League East and could consider trading some of their more attractive assets, such as Bichette or All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
This is the first trade rumors for Bichette, who signed a three-year, $33.6 million contract before the 2023 season and has three years of arbitration remaining.
“This is a new experience for me,” Bichette told Ramirez. “All I can do is focus on what’s in front of me, which is to play my hardest for the Blue Jays and do everything I can to help the team win. What happens, happens, but that’s all I can do.”
The 2016 first-round draft pick has impressive hair and would be following in the footsteps of franchise icon Brandon Crawford if he joins the Giants.
Ramirez wanted to know whose hair was better, Bichette’s or Crawford’s.
“I think he’d be more proud of it, so I’m going to give it to him,” Bichette said.
Bichette, who is batting .222/.275/.321 with four home runs and 30 RBIs this season, is making the right statements with the trade deadline just a few weeks away.
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