MLB Insider Issues Concerning Bo Bichette Update For Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox could shift their focus to Bo Bichette after reportedly losing Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs. However, one insider suggested they may miss out on the prominent free-agent target.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal speculated Monday on “Foul Territory” that the Philadelphia Phillies are in the driver’s seat to sign Bichette.

“If I had to guess right now, I would say the Phillies are the favorite,” Rosenthal said. “We’ll see what happens.”

As previously reported by The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, the Phillies have a Zoom meeting with Bichette on Monday. Rosenthal indicated that the National League East squad will try to steer negotiations toward the finish line during their virtual talk.

“You sort of don’t want to let him get off the Zoom without getting a deal done, right?” Rosenthal asked. “It’s that old theory: Don’t let him walk out of the room until he signs a contract. You can’t really do that on Zoom, I guess, but it’s the same working idea.”

While Bichette is reportedly seeking a contract worth around $300 million, Rosenthal doesn’t think it’s likely the Red Sox would offer a $200 million deal over eight years. He suggested they could pivot to free-agent third baseman Eugenio Suárez and catcher J.T. Realmuto while continuing to upgrade their pitching staff.

“The Red Sox can still put together a very representative team, and other executives around the league still think they’re pretty good,” Rosenthal said. “They’re going to do some more, perhaps, and maybe it won’t be a big bat. Maybe they go for a high-end pitcher and then supplement themselves with lower kinds of bats.”