Blue Jays could soon cut ties with projected $200M All-Star in trade with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are in a make-or-break season, and they might need a bit more firepower.

Kyle Tucker has transformed the Cubs lineup, making them one of the most threatening offenses in Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, Kyle Tucker is also not under contract for the Cubs next season.

Both to convince Tucker to stay and to make their first deep playoff run since 2017, the Cubs have to show they're all-in on the 2025 season. And there's no better way to do so than to make a splash at the trade deadline.

While it's a little early to know who's going to be available, one baseball writer thinks the Toronto Blue Jays could collapse enough to move a crucial piece to Chicago.

On Friday, Athlon's Jon Conahan named Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette as a trade fit for the Cubs. He theorized that Bichette could play third base, since top prospect Matt Shaw hasn't panned out yet at the big-league level.

"It’d be strange to see the Blue Jays move on from Bichette, but many have suggested that it’ll happen. With his contract up at the end of the year, Toronto will likely have to pay him $200 million plus, something its front office might not want to do," Conahan wrote.

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"If not, the Cubs would be a perfect suitor for him, as he clearly needs a bat of his caliber. If Bichette were willing to slide over to third base, his bat would be welcomed in this lineup."

Bichette, 27, is slashing .293/.326/.368. It's becoming a story that he hasn't hit a home run since last May, but assuming he can find a way to get his power back on track, he'll be a major asset to any lineup.

Conahan also cited a projection from MLB Trade Rumors that Bichette would make $200 million in free agency. Assuming the Cubs still believe in Shaw beyond this season, though, Bichette could be just a rental in Chicago before heading elsewhere.

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