Blue Jays could cut ties with homegrown All-Star via trade to arch-rival Yankees

The Toronto Blue Jays don't like anybody in the American League East, but they might hate the New York Yankees most of all.

Even if the Yankees of late haven't been as dominant in the playoffs as the Yankees of the 20th century, they've still inflicted plenty of pain on Toronto. They've won the division in 13 of 25 years since 2000, while the Blue Jays only have done it once.

It's early, but 2025 is off to a bad start for the Blue Jays in terms of usurping New York at the top of the division. At 22-23, the Jays trail the Yanks by four games in the division, and neither team has hit their stride yet.

If the Blue Jays are forced to be sellers at the trade deadline, it's all but certain the Yankees could be buyers. And that's led one baseball writer to suggest that Toronto could do something unthinkable to some Jays fans.

On Saturday, Andrew Wright of Newsweek named Blue Jays two-time All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette as a trade fit for the Yankees, who have had an obvious need at third base all season.

"Because of Toronto already... not looking like much of a playoff threat, a Bichette trade makes perfect sense. The Yankees swooping in and making a move with a division rival would prove just how serious they are about getting back to the World Series for the second consecutive season," Wright wrote.

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"Bichette has enjoyed success at Yankee Stadium in his career, as he has a .302 average with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. His success in that stadium could be another reason that New York would try and make a move."

Bichette, 27, is in a precarious position as he nears free agency. He's had a great career to this point, but a rough season in 2024 put pressure on him to succeed in 2025 to earn a big contract. He's off to a decent start, with a 119 OPS+ through 45 games.

It would be extremely painful for Blue Jays fans to see Bichette in a Yankees uniform. But they shouldn't have to worry about it unless their team is far out of the playoff hunt, at least until next season.

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