Now that Alex Bregman has signed, the heat is turning up on Bo Bichette. The free-agent shortstop is reportedly meeting with the Phillies, and the Red Sox seem likely to pursue Bichette as a replacement for Bregman as well. If the former Blue Jay opts to move to Philly, a key player may fall right into the Pirates’ lap, but the dominoes need to fall in just the right way for Pittsburgh to snatch up J.T. Realmuto.
A deal with Bichette would push the Phillies’ payroll past the fourth luxury tax level. Spotrac has the Phils paying nearly $35 million in taxes already, and Bichette’s salary would inflate that.