The Dodgers adding a shortstop at the trade deadline would make a ton of sense. With two-time Blue Jays All-Star Bo Bichette apparently available, the fit seems ideal even with Bichette struggling at the plate this season.
However, reporting in the Athletic indicates Los Angeles may avoid adding Bichette because of his glove. Ken Rosenthal, Will Samson and Patrick Mooney wrote about the upcoming trade deadline and noted that Bichette's defense is a problem area for the 26-year-old this season. Via the Athletic:
Rival evaluators say Bichette can get careless at short, rushing at times. He also has been on the injured list with leg injuries three times in the past calendar year, perhaps contributing to his diminished range.
The leading defensive metrics offer a discouraging picture. Bichette entered Sunday ranked 23rd among shortstops in Outs Above Average and 28th in Defensive Runs Saved. The previous two seasons, he was 30th and 28th in OAA and 33rd and 12th in DRS, respectively.
That's a pretty significant problem, particularly since part of the reason the Dodgers would be looking to add a shortstop is Mookie Betts' defense at the position.
Betts, who is on the IL with a broken hand, has been fine at short this season, but it's clear it isn't his natural position. An upgrade would require better defense than what Betts is providing. Bichette doesn't fit that bill at this point.
Perhaps the Dodgers turn their sites toward a more defensive-minded SS and try to piece together an effective offensive lineup around that player. Improving their defense at short would allow Betts to move to second base, or to his natural right field spot and shore up a shaky place in LA's lineup.
Don't rule out Bichette entirely just yet. LA would love to have his bat in the lineup if/when he returns to All-Star form.
This just may not be the perfect match it appears to be on the surface, so don't be surprised if LA's pursuit of a shortstop doesn't include the two-time All-Star.
