This article dives into two big themes shaping the MLB offseason. First, Bo Bichette is open to moving from shortstop to second base—a shift that could totally shake up his market.
The other story? The pool of high-leverage relievers is drying up fast, with teams snapping up arms on multi-year deals. Plus, there’s a sneaky roster move in Cleveland that might catch the eye of teams desperate for power.
Bo Bichette Open to Second Base: A Market-Changing Decision
Bo Bichette’s willingness to move from shortstop to second base isn’t just a minor adjustment. It’s a real strategy shift that could change how teams view him this winter.
With fewer big-market teams chasing a starting shortstop, Bichette’s versatility suddenly stands out as his best asset. That kind of flexibility is gold right now.
Why a Position Switch Helps Bichette’s Value
Bichette’s always been known for his bat, but his defense at shortstop hasn’t kept up. The metrics don’t love his glove at short, but moving to second base could soften those numbers and make him look a lot better overall.
Key reasons the move boosts his appeal:
For clubs nervous about paying big for a shortstop with defensive questions, Bichette as a second baseman with real offensive upside feels like a safer bet.
A Crowded, Active Second Base Market
This winter, second base has gotten surprisingly busy. Bichette’s willingness to switch drops him right into the thick of it.
Several names are already drawing plenty of attention.
Top second base targets drawing interest include:
Bichette joins that group as a bat-first second baseman who could still cover short in a pinch. Suddenly, teams that already have a shortstop are interested too.
High-Leverage Relief Market Thinning Fast
While guys like Bichette are figuring out where they fit, the relief market is a mad scramble. Teams want late-inning arms, but the list of trustworthy options is getting shorter every day.
Brad Keller and Luke Weaver Cash In
Brad Keller and Luke Weaver just landed two-year, $22 million deals—Keller with the Phillies, Weaver with the Mets. That’s aggressive money for relievers who aren’t even top-tier closers.
What these deals tell us:
Keller and Weaver are gone, and suddenly the top of the relief market looks pretty empty.
Few Impact Relievers Still Available
The list of available high-leverage relievers is now just a handful. These guys are about to get a lot of calls.
Top remaining right-handed relievers:
As these names get picked off, expect prices to stay high. Wait too long, and teams might end up hoping for bounce-backs instead of landing a sure thing.
Guardians DFA Jhonkensy Noel: A Power Gamble for Someone
The Cleveland Guardians just designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment to make room for lefty Justin Bruihl on the 40-man roster. On paper, it’s just a routine move.
But for a club hunting for power, Noel could be an intriguing lottery ticket. Sometimes these quiet moves end up mattering a lot more than anyone expects.
Noel’s Struggles and Intriguing Upside
Noel just wrapped up a disastrous 2025 season. It’s the kind of year that forces tough choices for front offices already juggling roster limits.
Still, his 2024 numbers keep him on the radar.
Why teams might still bite on Noel:
The Guardians made a calculated move, letting Noel go to clear space for Bruihl. They’re hoping Bruihl, a lefty, can steady the pitching staff.
For another team, Noel’s basically a classic change-of-scenery gamble. Sometimes those actually work out—who doesn’t want to roll the dice on a little power upside?
Here is the source article for this story: The Opener: Bichette, Relief Market, Noel
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