With Alex Bregman now officially off the board, any team seeking infield help this winter will likely shift its attention to the other marquee free-agent infielder still available, shortstop Bo Bichette. So, where might the 27-year-old sign? That remains the multi-million-dollar question.

Bregman’s five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs shouldn’t directly impact Bichette’s market, as they’re each vastly different cases due to age (Bichette is four years younger), position and offensive ceiling — with the latter leading in that department. However, this signing does eliminate one potential suitor from the healthy list of clubs pursuing his services.

But there are still plenty in the running, and the advantages that Bichette holds over Bregman should improve his case to land a more lucrative contract than the veteran third baseman. Whether or not that’ll ultimately put him in the $300 million territory remains to be seen, though.

For context, only four major league shortstops have signed for at least $30o million — Trea Turner, Corey Seager, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Francisco Lindor, five if you include Mookie Betts (who signed his extension as an outfielder in 2020) — while Xander Bogaerts stands as the sport’s highest-paid second baseman at $280 million.

Given that history, the dollar amount that Bichette signs for will be heavily influenced by whether he’s a shortstop or second baseman, with much of the industry agreeing that his long-term position should be the latter — especially after he produced career worsts in outs above average (-13) and fielding run value (-10) at short last season.

In the short term, though, the ability to play multiple positions has made Bichette’s free-agent market increasingly fruitful this off-season, expanding his availability beyond teams solely in need of a shortstop. Even with the Cubs no longer in play, that versatility continues to make him a highly coveted target for several interested suitors around the majors.

Returning to Toronto remains a possibility for Bichette, even after the franchise solidified its position-player group with Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto earlier this month. That outcome has certainly become less likely, however, as pursuing a reunion would sacrifice playing time for multiple players, namely Ernie Clement (named to Team USA for this spring’s WBC), who currently projects to be an everyday second baseman in 2026.

The Blue Jays will keep that door open as long as Bichette remains unsigned, and rightly so. But there are now obvious fit concerns, with Okamoto expected to earn consistent opportunities at third base. Plus, there’s also a certain superstar outfielder who they’ve also been linked to in free agency — Kyle Tucker. 

With either player, there isn’t a glaring hole that needs to be addressed on this roster, meaning the front office doesn’t have to act as desperate or aggressive as other suitors might — like the New York Mets, for example — this late into the off-season.

They can sit back, put their feet up and let the market come to them.

Outside of bolstering the bullpen with closer Edwin Díaz, who was the best reliever available this winter, Los Angeles has been relatively quiet in the months since free agency opened. But they’re always lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce — and perhaps Bichette will prompt them to do just that.

The Dodgers have a clear need at second base, where defensive specialist Hyeseong Kim is likely the clubhouse leader for at-bats heading into next season. They also have Miguel Rojas and newly acquired Andy Ibáñez as alternatives behind Kim, although that trio can’t compare to the elite ceiling that Bichette features.

Even so, Los Angeles’ interest in Bichette may be limited to a short-term deal with a high average annual value — similar to the organization’s desires with Tucker — given the number of lucrative long-term contracts already on the books.

Philadelphia appears to be quickly emerging as a legitimate suitor in the Bo Bichette sweepstakes. Favourites don’t exist in free agency. But if they did, the Phillies might be the lead horse in this race.

They’ve reportedly intensified their pursuit of the two-time All-Star, whom the organization met with via video conference on Monday and could be willing to offer as much as seven or eight years to, as The Athletic’s Matt Gelb reports. Such actions would necessitate some subtractions, like parting with Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos (who’s owed $20 million as a pending free agent), and shifting Bryson Stott to the hot corner.

It may also leave insufficient spending room to retain veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto, whose free-agent negotiations appear to have reached an impasse with the franchise. When you’re contemplating a ceiling-raising addition like this one, though, it’s easier to justify moving out multiple lineup regulars.

After whiffing on Bregman, who was arguably the club’s top priority this winter, it’s reasonable to think Boston’s front office could become aggressive and potentially jump the market for Bichette in the coming weeks.

Considering the Red Sox already have Trevor Story at shortstop, signing Bichette would likely mean moving him to second base full-time starting next season, pushing rookie Marcelo Mayer to third. Moving defensive parts around wouldn’t be ideal. But on the offensive side, this would insert a meaningful middle-of-the-order threat around the likes of Story, Jarren Duran, fellow rookie Roman Anthony and off-season acquisition Willson Contreras.

There’s a realistic pathway that could see Bichette join the AL East rival. Now, after reportedly being outbid by Chicago for Bregman, it’s time to see if Boston is willing to put its money where its championship aspirations should be.

As much as Colorado isn’t in a position to compete with these other suitors for Bichette, the right-handed-hitting infielder will forever feature ties to the organization through his father, Dante, and could have some interest in becoming the new face of the franchise. But that’s probably considered a long shot, with several post-season contenders involved.

Short-term needs could make Detroit an interesting suitor in the Bichette market. They made an aggressive play for Bregman last winter before he opted for Boston, and since next season’s projected competitive balance tax (CBT) payroll remains well below the initial luxury tax threshold of $244 million, per FanGraphs’ RosterResource, perhaps they could become a surprise entry in this regard.

Top prospect Kevin McGonigle, the Tigers’ long-term solution at shortstop, could receive an opportunity to compete for the everyday job alongside Zach McKinstry this spring. Or, in the event they sign Bichette, McGonigle could continue his development at triple-A before emerging as the club’s full-time shortstop in 2027.

With Gleyber Torres, who accepted the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer in November, set to become a free agent again next winter, Detroit could reconfigure its infield by bumping Bichette to second base in favour of McGonigle — constructing the franchise’s middle-infield duo through the rest of this decade.

If New York fails to bridge the gap with free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, pivoting to Bichette might be the next-best thing for the Bronx Bombers, whose offence desperately craves a meaningful addition to keep pace in the always competitive AL East division.

As Anthony Volpe recovers from off-season shoulder surgery, the Yankees will be without their everyday shortstop to begin next season — a vacancy that either Bichette or, more realistically, Jazz Chisholm Jr. could fill in the short term. Fitting all those pieces into the puzzle long-term could be challenging, however, and may result in a subtraction, either for Chisholm (pending free agent) or Ryan McMahon.