One day after the Toronto Blue Jays lost in the World Series, longtime shortstop Bo Bichette was one of the 137 major leaguers who became free agents on Sunday.
Bichette, Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker highlight the list of free agents.
Bichette hit a three-run homer to put the Blue Jays ahead early in Game 7 on Saturday but the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 5-4 win in 11 innings.
The 27-year-old Bichette played through a knee injury in the World Series, his only action in the postseason. But he starred with a .348 average with one homer and six RBIs.
Bichette, a two-time All-Star, first reached the majors with Toronto in 2019.
Schwarber led the National League with 56 homers and the majors with 132 RBIs this season. The three-time All-Star batted .240 with 111 runs.
The 32-year-old is established as one of the top power bats in the majors. He has hit 187 homers in his four seasons with the Phillies and 340 in a career that began with the Chicago Cubs in 2015.
Tucker, 28, batted .266 with 22 homers and 73 RBIs for the Cubs this season. Chicago acquired him in the offseason from the Houston Astros.
Tucker appeared intent on testing the free-agent market even before the trade to the Cubs. The four-time All-Star has topped 20 homers in five straight seasons.
Free agents can sign with teams beginning on Thursday.
Among the other players became free agents on Sunday are catcher J.T. Realmuto, first baseman Josh Naylor, second baseman Gleyber Torres, third baseman Eugenio Suarez, infielder Luis Arraez, outfielders Trent Grisham, Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
On the pitching side, the free agents include left-handers Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez, right-handers Chris Bassitt, Dylan Cease, Kenley Jansen and Devin Williams.
Veteran right-handers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, on the back end of their careers, also will be available. Scherzer made two starts for Toronto in the World Series.
Some other players could become free agents later in coming weeks due to option clauses include New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and right-hander Edwin Diaz, Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, New York Yankees first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber and San Diego Padres right-handers Michael King and Robert Suarez.
