Yes, I’m once again delving into the theoretical world of free agency to help the Colorado Rockies. Once again, I acknowledge this is fairly far-fetched and not likely to happen, but the idea of it is tantalizing
enough that it’s worth thinking about.
As I mentioned in the Paul Goldschmidt piece last week, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding offered the idea that the Rockies could look at adding veteran experience at a few positions, mainly first base and second base. First base is mostly a stopgap position for the time being until someone like Charlie Condon is ready to take over. Second base, on the other hand, became a revolving door with no standout option heading into 2026.
Thairo Estrada played just 40 games, leaving the Rockies to use an assortment of players to man second base through the season. Along with Estrada, Kyle Farmer and Orlando Arcia are expected to become free agents. Tyler Freeman’s future is unknown, and prospects like Ryan Ritter and Adael Amador had their auditions, but it’s unclear how much the Rockies view them as everyday starters.
So, why not try to spend big on a free agent who could fill a defensive position of need while bringing valuable hitting tools to the lineup? Why not consider Bo Bichette?
I’ll mention why this won’t happen at the end, but let’s consider a world in which the Rockies could add someone like Bichette to the lineup. The family connection with the incredible years his father Dante had in Colorado would be a nice sentiment to have for a team trying to rebuild a relationship with the fans. It’s the same reason why getting Ethan Holliday was applauded, because while he has great potential, the Holliday name is sacred in the halls of Coors Field.
More importantly, Bo is a good player with a bat that fills a gap in the Rockies’ lineup.
After leading the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022 and making his second career All-Star team in 2023, Bichette had a horrible 2024, playing in only 81 games while being quite unproductive. Injuries and struggles at the plate just through Bichette, through the ringer, and it was questionable in the decline had already started for him.
Luckily, 2025 was a bounce-back year for Bichette as he looked like his old self again. He was leading the league with 181 hits before a left knee sprain ended his regular season. For context, Bobby Witt Jr. lead all of baseball with 184 hits, doing so with 28 more games played than Bichette, who tied for second with Luis Arraez, who played 154 games. Hunter Goodman led the Rockies with 150 hits in 144 games.
He finished the year with 18 home runs and 84 RBI while slashing .311/.357/.483 in 139 games, posting a 3.4 rWAR season.
An ability to make contact and get on base is Bichette’s calling card and something the Rockies desperately need in a hitter. He owns a career 19.4% strikeout rate and had a career-low 14.5% rate in 2025. Sure, he’s not going to walk a ton, but a roughly 6% walk rate isn’t too shabby considering he’s doing quite a bit with his bat.
Just look at his Statcast page and the sea of red.
Bichette has a knack for not whiffing and is able to square balls up on the sweet spot for quality exit velocity. A slower bat speed typically means a higher batting average, but that bat control has historically translated to power for him. He has three career seasons with at least 20 home runs, and it stands to reason he could have done it again this year if not for the injury robbing him of the last stretch of the regular season. His 18 long balls would have placed him third on the Rockies this season.
What also makes Bichette an enticing bat is that he has the clutch gene. Collectively, the Rockies batted .233/.299/.379 with runners in scoring position in 2025. Bichette, on his own, slashed .381/.427/.626 with eight home runs and 80 RBI with RISP. You can up that total to 87 RBI with just men on base in general. Also, with two outs and RISP, Bichette batted .306 with a .966 OPS.
Across the board, Bichette is a high-quality bat that would be a nice compliment to help out the other key pieces of the lineup. Strikeouts are an issue for players like Ezquiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle, so why not add a player who can excel with putting the ball in play and driving in runs as a productive asset? I mean, we’ve seen what he can do at Coors Field already.
Now, the question of his defensive abilities comes forward. Bichette has been nothing but a shortstop during his big league career. Since 2019, Bichette has not been generously favored defensively by most statistics. FanGraphs lists him at -19 Defensive Runs Saved and worth -32 Outs Above Average. While he’s certainly no slouch on defense and has handled the shortstop position well enough during his career, his glove isn’t much to write home about.
Luckily, the Rockies wouldn’t need him to play shortstop.
Bichette played plenty of second base during his minor league career and most recently made headlines when he offered to play second base for the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series. He has handled the few chances he has had relatively easily, and the Blue Jays have also compensated with some infield shading to provide extra coverage since Bichette’s mobility is compromised because of the injury. Still, most industries expect Bichette not to last much longer at shortstop in his career, as a move to second base or even third base is likely in his near future.
Now it’s pretty clear why Bichette won’t be suited up in purple next season. Entering the offseason, Bichette is honestly one of, if not the only, top shortstop free agents entering the market. Spotrac valued him at around $23 million AAV, and he could likely be looking for a seven or eight-year deal. In short, he’s looking at a decent payday on the market.
The prospect of him moving around the infield also expands the wide range of suitors. It would stand to reason that teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers will always be in the mix for a player like Bichette, but so will the other big-market teams. Some experts pin the Detroit Tigers as a good landing spot for his services. Of course, the Blue Jays will likely still be in the mix and will at least extend him a qualifying offer.
The fact of the matter is that Bichette would want to go to a team committed to winning and setting a path forward, and the Rockies just aren’t there yet. It’d be nice to get to a point where the Rockies can be a legitimate contender for the services of a Bichette or any free agent of his caliber. For now, they’ll have to scour to find a suitable staple to place at second base in the meantime.
Arizona Fall League
Peoria Javelinas 9, Salt River Rafters 1
It wasn’t the best of days for Rafters pitching as the starter, Dominic Perachi, gave up four runs in 3 2/3 innings. Later, Joshua Loeschorn surrendered four runs in his one inning of work. As for Rockies prospects, Charlie Condon had another good day, going 2-for-4 and driving in the Rafters lone run in the top of the first. Jared Thomas was less fortunate, striking out three times.
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This week, Evan Lang and I talk about the two reported finalists for the Rockies’ new GM and then break down Darryl Scott’s not returning as the pitching coach.
Here are the Rockies’ most pressing Q’s this offseason | MLB.com
Thomas Harding offers and answers a few questions that the new head of baseball ops will have to address once they are put in place.
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