Even with new contract, Bichette faces pivotal 2023

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DUNEDIN, Fla. — Heading into his fourth full big-league season, Bo Bichette has proven he’s one of the best offensive shortstops in the business.

But even with 1,727 trips to the plate under his belt and an impressive .297/.340/.491 slash line backing up his early-career exploits, the soon-to-be 25-year-old heads into 2023 with newfound financial security and still a lot yet to prove.

Most of the proving has to do with his glove.

The bat isn’t really in question, especially after Bichette torched league pitching to the tune of a .337/.378/.543 slash line and a 163 wRC+ in the second half of last season.

There are a lot of down-ballot MVP votes in his future, and the bat is the reason why.

There’s really no need to quibble with the offensive profile, one that comes with low walk totals and a streaky nature that can carry a lineup for weeks at a time.

Add in a renewed emphasis on the basepaths this season for Bichette and the fantasy numbers and SportsCentre clips are going to be there with regularity. 

But the long-term position you can definitely debate and Bichette’s glove will continue to be under the microscope in the near future as the Toronto Blue Jays attempt to get over the hump and make a legitimate World Series run.

The eye test wasn’t great in 2022 and the metrics back that up emphatically.

Last season, Bichette placed 30th amongst MLB shortstops when it comes to Outs Above Average, posting a minus-7 figure that put him near the bottom of defensive value at maybe the most important position on the field.

Defensive Runs Saved didn’t like his work with the glove last year, either, as it gifted Bichette an ugly minus-16 mark, which came on the heels of a plus-7 value across his first three