Bo Bichette rumors will have Orioles fans nervously picking sides

The Baltimore Orioles are arguably one move away from putting the offseason in the rearview mirror and focusing their full attention on the team's upcoming trip to Florida for spring training. While that one move will likely focus on the starting rotation — and won't include signing free agent Bo Bichette — the Orioles fanbase will surely keep an eye on where the former Toronto Blue Jays infielder ultimately lands.

After signing Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal, it appears that the Jays are no longer looking to reunite with Bichette. He's recently attracted the attention of the Philadelphia Phillies and met with the team's brass earlier this week.

But another organization has entered the Bichette sweepstakes, and Orioles fans aren't going to like it. The Boston Red Sox are rumored to be making a strong push for the two-time All-Star. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, after losing Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs, Boston is now expected to aggressively pursue Bichette in free agency.

Bo Bichette rumors connect the former Blue Jays star to one of the Orioles biggest rivals

Bichette has tortured the Orioles throughout his Major League career. In 72 games against Baltimore, he owns a career .340/.384/.508 slash line with 10 home runs and 32 RBI. Only the New York Yankees have been victimized more by Bichette over the years. He's launched 13 round-trippers against the Bronx Bombers across 82 games.

With Bregman off the board, there seems to be a mad dash by the big spenders for the likes of Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Cody Bellinger. Most MLB experts and pundits expect to see Bichette and Tucker settle on a new home this week, while Bellinger's free agency might drag out a little longer. Oddly enough, both Bichette and Tucker could wind up with two of the O's biggest rivals.

With Baltimore out of the picture for Bichette, their rooting interest is clear. Orioles fans would love nothing more than to see Bichette flee the AL East and join the Phillies in the City of Brotherly Love. Bichette's from Florida, but maybe he'd prefer to enjoy a delicious Philly cheesesteak rather than some baked beans and a bowl of chowder...or is it chow-dah?