Looking at how the Blue Jays could utilize Bo Bichette over the coming weeks

It seems like Bo Bichette likely won’t make the Toronto Blue Jays‘ American League Championship Series roster.

On Saturday, Shi Davidi from Sportsnet released an article which featured Bichette running the bases and appearing to be in discomfort. We’ll have an answer as to whether or not he’ll be on the roster at 10:00 AM ET on Sunday ahead of Game 1. It’s rather disappointing news, as it seemed as if he could be ready to return for the ALCS.

It’s also worth noting that the Blue Jays can add him to the roster even if he’s not ready to return just yet. Sure, they’ll essentially lose a roster spot until he’s healthy enough to play, but the potential of adding Bichette’s bat to the lineup far outweighs the loss of Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s defensive replacement innings.

That begs the question: if Bichette is added to the Blue Jays’ ALCS roster, how could they utilize him?

Designated hitter

Regardless of whether Bichette is added or not, one thing is clear: He won’t be on the roster to play defence. In 1139.0 innings at shortstop, he had -12 Defensive Runs Saved and -13 Outs Above Average, the latter being a career-worst. At some point soon, a move to second base needs to be considered, but that’s a whole other can of worms.

Shortstop has mainly been covered by Andrés Giménez since Bichette went down with an injury, and the 27-year-old is more than capable of playing the position. So, where does that leave Bichette?

Well, he could serve as the team’s designated hitter, keeping him off his feet but also keeping his bat in the lineup. There’d be a lot of moving parts to this, as it would require George Springer to move to the outfield and push Anthony Santander to the bench as a pinch hitter.

However, having Bichette’s bat in the lineup is well worth it, as he slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs in 628 plate appearances for a career-best 132 wRC+. Adding that bat to an already fantastic offence could make the Jays unstoppable.

Pinch hitter

If Bichette can’t run the bases at all, he and Anthony Santander could switch roles if Bichette makes the ALCS roster. Santander could be their designated hitter, while Bichette is used in key situations and is immediately relieved for a pinch runner if he manages to reach.

There’s still risk in that, of course. If Bichette splits the outfielders with a hit, could he reach second base without reaggravating the injury? This option is less than ideal, and Bichette should only be added if he’s able to run the bases at some point in the ALCS, even if he’s healthy enough toward the backend of the series.

Remain off the roster until the World Series

The most probable outcome regarding Bichette is that he remains off the ALCS roster. The video shared by Sportsnet doesn’t look great, and another week and a half of rest could do wonders for the shortstop.

Of course, that means that the Blue Jays would have to get past the Seattle Mariners, which is easier said than done, given their pitching and soon-to-be American League MVP Cal Raleigh. Still, the Blue Jays’ offence is rolling.

In the series against the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays averaged a run per inning, scoring 34 runs in the four games, or eight-and-a-half runs a game. From what we’ve seen so far this postseason, the Blue Jays don’t need Bichette, as he’d be considered a luxury to this lineup.

If he’s healthy come the Blue Jays’ potential World Series visit, or at least can play, it’s worth leaving him off the ALCS roster.