The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-phillies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia Phillies</a> are looking at a Gold Glove push away from them after having a big year. The San Francisco Giants, who are interested in Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, might also be the ones poaching the talent from the City of Brotherly Love.



Harrison Bader had an incredibly productive season in 2025. However, the outfielder is now sitting in free agency looking to cash a big payday and the Phillies might lose the battle for his services to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-francisco-giants" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giants</a>.



According to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, it’s the San Francisco Giants the ones that could tempt Bader to not return to Philadelphia. “The Giants are still a dark horse to make a run at Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette, but with more pressing needs in the starting rotation, they will likely aim a bit lower if they make another addition to their lineup,” Reuter said. “A defensive standout like Harrison Bader even more valuable as a potential target to man center field.”



<h2>Bader is a talented player on both ends</h2>



Bader was one of the best defenders in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLB</a>, and his bat was well above league average. He is a very complete player. Jung Hoo Lee (-18 DRS, -5 OAA) and Heliot Ramos (-6 DRS, -9 OAA)&nbsp;were very defficient defensively, and Bader would be a massive improvement for the Giants in that regard.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20260103_BUS_555771_GettyImages-22339309192-Bolavip_4c134cc3.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Harrison Bader played for the Phillies" class="wp-image-486563" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px"></figure><figcaption>Harrison Bader played for the Phillies</figcaption></figure>



Also, San Francisco has a huge outfield. A guy like Bader could easily help out and turn triples into doubles and doubles into singles with his defensive play. His defense alone would make Bader one of the more important names on the Giants roster.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/mlb/ny-yankees-dodgers-and-cubs-reportedly-show-interest-in-blue-jays-free-agent-star"></div>


<h2>Landing Bader would allow the Giants to make more moves</h2>



Being a cheaper option than Bichette and Tucker, Bader would be great. Landing him would allow the Giants to buy big on an ace while still get a top-of-the-line player. It’s literally the best-case scenario and one must wonder if the Giants should stop pursuing Bichette or <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kyle-tucker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tucker</a> altogether to focus on Bader before the Phillies convince him to return.



The Giants need a second base, that’s why a guy like <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bo-bichette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bichette</a> is really tempting. Still, it also seems like the team isn’t ready to deploy such a big contract. Hence, trading for Brandon Lowe of the Rays or Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals could become real possibilities for them to solve the second base problem.

Phillies could lose key player to Giants amid San Francisco’s interest in Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette

Phillies could lose key player to Giants amid San Francisco's interest in Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette - Bolavip US

miniaturas

One of the most talked-about names this MLB offseason is Toronto Blue Jays star Bo Bichette, who is currently a free agent and drawing significant interest across the league. The shortstop has quickly become one of the most coveted players on the market, with several major franchises, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-yankees">New York Yankees</a>, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs, closely monitoring his situation as they evaluate roster upgrades for the upcoming season.



NY Yankees, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-dodgers">Dodgers</a>, and Cubs are reportedly among the teams that have checked in on Bichette, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. While they are not his only suitors, the level of interest highlights how highly Bichette continues to be valued around MLB despite the depth already present on those rosters.



Heyman reported that the Yankees, Dodgers, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/chicago-cubs">Cubs</a> all made initial inquiries, signaling real intrigue rather than casual monitoring. Any team pursuing Bichette would need to make roster adjustments, particularly in the infield, but league executives believe his offensive production justifies those conversations.



For the Yankees, that could mean navigating around Jazz Chisholm at second base and Anthony Volpe at shortstop. The Cubs currently rely on Nico Hoerner at second base and Dansby Swanson at shortstop, while the Dodgers feature Mookie Betts between shortstop and second base alongside Hyeseong Kim. Even so, all three franchises appear willing to explore flexibility if it leads to adding Bichette.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" data-id="551653" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20260102_BUS_555217_bichette_5d12e381.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Bo Bichette" class="wp-image-551653"></figure><figcaption>Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays plays second base.</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



<h2>Bichette numbers last season</h2>



During the 2025 campaign, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bo-bichette">Bichette</a> hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs, reaffirming his status as one of the league’s most consistent hitters. Over his seven-year tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays, the infielder posted a .294 batting average, along with 111 home runs, 437 RBIs, and 60 stolen bases, while earning two All-Star selections.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/mlb/ny-yankees-jazz-chisholm-jr-trade-rumors-gain-momentum-amid-cody-bellinger-uncertainty"></div>

 

 


Beyond his production at the plate, Bichette’s openness to playing second base expanded his market. That positional versatility allowed contending teams to consider him without completely reshaping their infield, keeping his name connected to multiple franchises throughout the offseason.



<h2>Bichette postseason run</h2>



Bichette faced adversity late in the 2025 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb">MLB</a> season after suffering a knee sprain that caused him to miss the start of the postseason. He returned earlier than expected and played through the injury during the World Series, clearly limited physically but still managing to make an impact in the lineup.



In Game 7, Bichette delivered what many <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/toronto-blue-jays">Blue Jays</a> fans hoped would be a defining moment, launching a three-run home run early to give Toronto a lead. The advantage did not hold through the ninth inning, but Bichette’s performance reinforced his reputation as a big-game hitter and further strengthened his appeal as one of the premier free agents on the market.

NY Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs reportedly show interest in Blue Jays free agent star

Dodgers receive key update on Kyle Tucker amid slow-moving free-agent market

NY Yankees rumored next target after missing on Tatsuya Imai could involve trading for $15 million ace

NY Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs reportedly show interest in Blue Jays free agent star - Bolavip US

Mark Feinsand is one of the top MLB insiders when it comes to covering free agents during the offseason, and Alex Bregman has been a recent focus in his reporting. In his latest piece, Feinsand explains how what happens with Bregman could directly impact <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bo-bichette">Bo Bichette</a>’s future and his potential return to the Toronto Blue Jays.



Feinsand was clear in his MLB.com article titled “Where things stand with top 6 free agents,” highlighting a key factor for Toronto and the infielder’s outlook: “Bichette’s future may be tied directly to what happens with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/alex-bregman">Bregman</a>, as the Blue Jays and Red Sox are in on both players.”



Feinsand also pointed out that the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/toronto-blue-jays">Blue Jays</a> hold a notable advantage in Bichette’s case, as they would not be required to give up as much in the process: “Toronto, the only club that won’t have to give up Draft picks to sign Bichette, could bring him back to play second base, where he appeared during the World Series, shifting Andrés Giménez to shortstop.”



<h2>Blue Jays aggressively pursuing Bregman</h2>



As Feinsand outlines in his article, Bichette’s future may hinge on where Bregman ultimately signs. If Bregman were to land with the Blue Jays, it could significantly reduce the chances of Bichette returning to Toronto, even though the club has been one of the teams showing the strongest interest in Bregman.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Bo Bichette | 2025 Highlights " width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vs2c-QmNNXU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



“Sources believe the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks may be the two most aggressive clubs in the hunt for Bregman, though a Red Sox reunion remains a possibility,” Feinsand wrote in the section focused on Bregman. In that same analysis, he placed Bichette’s market value ahead of players such as Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suárez.



In a separate, earlier report, Jon Heyman noted that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mlb/ny-yankees-rumors-team-reportedly-checks-in-on-blue-jays-star-following-imais-decision">three other teams outside of Toronto and Arizona have also “checked in” on Bichette</a>, a development that could raise some concern within the Blue Jays’ front office.

Mark Feinsand explains how Alex Bregman could shape Bo Bichette’s future with the Blue Jays

Mark Feinsand explains how Alex Bregman could shape Bo Bichette’s future with the Blue Jays - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/toronto-blue-jays">Toronto Blue Jays</a> have added another arm to their pitching staff, though this latest addition is unlikely to see game action in 2026. The move underscores the team’s ongoing roster reshaping as it reportedly pursues key players like Bo Bichette and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kyle-tucker">Kyle Tucker</a>.



Josh Winckowski, 27, spent the majority of his career with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/boston-red-sox">Boston Red Sox</a>, but missed significant time this year due to an elbow strain that required surgery earlier this month. His new agreement with the Blue Jays was reported by Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, though the team has yet to announce it.



“Source: Right-hander Josh Winckowski is signing a two-year minor league deal with the #BlueJays. Had internal brace surgery earlier this month. Hoping to pitch late in 2026. Plan right now is to build him back up as a starter when he’s healthy,” Adams wrote.



<h2>Winckowski’s career path and background</h2>



Winckowski’s connection to the Blue Jays dates back to 2016, when Toronto originally drafted him out of high school. After a series of trades, he eventually landed with Boston, where he made his major league debut in 2022 as a starter. That season, he posted a 5-7 record with a 5.89 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 70 innings.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20260101_BUS_554606_Winckowski_79ae3931.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-554611"></figure><figcaption>Josh Winckowski #25 with the Red Sox pitches the ball. Abigail Dean/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



In 2023, he transitioned effectively to the bullpen, emerging as one of the Red Sox’s most reliable relievers. He appeared in 60 games, recording a 2.88 ERA and 82 strikeouts across 88 innings. Despite a promising start to 2025, his season ended prematurely due to the elbow injury that now requires rehabilitation.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/mlb/mlb-rumors-ny-mets-phillies-cubs-could-face-new-competition-for-tatsuya-imai-as-nl-east-contender-emerges"></div>


<h2>Outlook with the Blue Jays</h2>



The two-year minor league deal gives Winckowski the time to properly recover without immediate pressure to contribute at the big-league level. The move also reunites him with the franchise that first drafted him, offering a fresh start with a club focused on strengthening its roster for both the present and future. 


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="69569555e2d53b59fb2f075e" data-title="How soon could Josh Winckowski make an impact for the Blue Jays?" data-options="4"></div>


The Blue Jays’ front office will likely monitor his recovery closely while continuing their aggressive offseason pursuits, including efforts to retain Bichette and potentially add impact players like Tucker.

Blue Jays add former Red Sox pitcher recovering from injury amid Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker chase

MLB News: White Sox sign former NY Mets top prospect following Munetaka Murakami deal

MLB Rumors: NY Mets lose veteran outfielder to NL East rivals

Blue Jays add former Red Sox pitcher recovering from injury amid Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker chase - Bolavip US

Blue Jays add former Red Sox pitcher while rehabbing injury amid Bichette, Tucker chase

Latest news from Bo Bichette. Find out about all the news related to Bo Bichette on bolavip.com/en

Bo Bichette - Page 2

Phillies could lose key player to Giants amid San Francisco’s interest in Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette

NY Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs reportedly show interest in Blue Jays free agent star

Mark Feinsand explains how Alex Bregman could shape Bo Bichette’s future with the Blue Jays

Blue Jays add former Red Sox pitcher while rehabbing injury amid Bichette, Tucker chase