Tigers Trade Urged for $33.6 Million ‘Luxury Item’ Shortstop by MLB Insider
June 9, 2025
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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.
In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.
Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan’s largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.
Jon Vankin
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The Detroit Tigers, despite dropping three of their last six games, remain at the top of the American League Central — as well as all of MLB — with a 42-24 record.
Led by a pitching staff with the fourth-lowest ERA (3.15) and an offense that has pushed across the fourth-most runs (325) in baseball, the surprising Tigers would seem to have no urgency to make moves at the trade deadline, or before.
But that doesn’t mean they should stand pat. That’s why ESPN’s top baseball insider, Jeff Passan, says Detroit should acquire Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette — if only as a “luxury item.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 11: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on after making a pitching change against the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning at Target Field on April 11, 2025… MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 11: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on after making a pitching change against the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning at Target Field on April 11, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Tigers defeated the Twins 7-6.
David Berding/Getty Images
Bichette has been the subject of frequent trade talk all season, mainly because the 27-year-old son of four-time All-Star Dante Bichette — who played for five teams in a 14-year MLB career — is in the final season of a three-year, $33.6 million contract extension with the Blue Jays, the team that made him a second-round draft pick in 2016.
The younger Bichette signed the extension before the 2023 season, allowing him to avoid arbitration with the Blue Jays — but still letting him become a free agent after this season.
“Bichette’s gap-to-gap power would play well at Comerica Park and lengthen a lineup that has scored more runs than anticipated,” Passan wrote in his roundup of anticipated trade deadline deals.
More MLB: Blue Jays Reportedly Expected to Refuse Bo Bichette Trade, Change His Position
“After a homerless April, Bichette whacked seven home runs in May and slugged better than .500,” Passan continued. “The Tigers don’t need much. With their prospect depth, though, they can afford a luxury item.”
The Blue Jays would be likely to insist on an impressive return of prospect assets for Bichette, but the fact that the shortstop would be a “rental” for the remainder of the season perhaps brings his price down.
Detroit’s No. 2 overall prospect is also a middle infielder. But 20-year-old Kevin McGonicle is estimated by MLB Pipeline to be two more seasons away from big-league readiness.
But McGonicle plus a major league ready pitcher such as No. 10 prospect Troy Melton — who has posted a 3.30 ERA in 43 2/3 innings for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens this year — may be enough to land the two-time All-Star Bichette.
More MLB: Trade Scenario Nets Yankees Ex-$63 Million MLB No. 1 Prospect to Plug Infield Gap
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