Bichette angles for DJ to join Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have emerged as a serious threat to the Yankees’ wishes to retain free agent DJ LeMahieu, and one of Toronto’s young stars is making it known he’d love to form a double-play partnership with the reigning AL batting champion up north.

“I think DJ LeMahieu is the best hitter in baseball, and I don’t even really think it’s close, from what I’ve seen,” Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette said in an appearance on teammate Ross Stripling’s “Big Swing” podcast. “He’s probably the No. 1 player I’d want to play with in the league. If that would happen, that would be awesome for us, but either way, man, our team’s pretty good already.”

ESPN reported Monday that the Blue Jays “have emerged as significant players in the LeMahieu sweepstakes, and perhaps the biggest threat to him re-signing” with the Yankees. The report also stated that the Mets have expressed interest in LeMahieu.

GM Brian Cashman reiterated last week the Yankees’ priority remains to keep the All-Star second baseman, who led the majors with a .364 batting average in the abridged 2020 season. The 32-year-old LeMahieu also has finished fourth and third, respectively, during his two seasons in New York in AL MVP voting.

“I understand by waiting on something you want and trying to find ways to make it happen … comes with risk,” Cashman said Wednesday. “That has a downside to it, too, but there are certain players you feel are more worth the waiting game on, and I think DJ LeMahieu is worth that.”

The Post’s Joel Sherman reported last week the sides remained more than $25 million apart in negotiations. The Yankees have held up other offseason business — such as adding another starting pitcher — while waiting for the LeMahieu talks to be resolved.