As the Toronto Blue Jays continue their season without star shortstop Bo Bichette, fans and analysts alike are left wondering about the impact of his absence on the team. Bichette, who has been sidelined with a hand injury since mid-April, was off to a hot start before his injury, hitting .356 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs in just 13 games.

Without Bichette in the lineup, the Blue Jays have struggled to find consistent production at the shortstop position. His replacement, Santiago Espinal, has struggled at the plate, hitting just .200 with 1 home run and 3 RBIs in 21 games. While Espinal has shown flashes of potential defensively, he has not been able to replicate Bichette’s offensive production.

The impact of Bichette’s absence goes beyond just his individual statistics. His presence in the lineup provides a spark for the team and gives them a dynamic offensive threat at the top of the order. Without him, the Blue Jays have had to rely more heavily on other players to pick up the slack, which has put added pressure on the rest of the lineup.

With Bichette expected to return in the coming weeks, the question now becomes whether the Blue Jays should consider trading him. While Bichette is undoubtedly a key piece of the team’s future, his injury history raises concerns about his long-term durability. Additionally, the Blue Jays have a surplus of young talent in their farm system, including top prospect Jordan Groshans, who could potentially step in and fill Bichette’s shoes if needed.

Ultimately, the decision to trade Bichette will come down to a number of factors, including his health, contract status, and the team’s overall performance. While it may be tempting to explore trade options for Bichette, his impact on the team when healthy is undeniable. As the Blue Jays continue to navigate through the season without him, fans can only hope for a speedy recovery and a return to form for their star shortstop.