In a major transaction for the new baseball season, the New York Mets have agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract with Bo Bichette, an established two-time All-Star, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity due to the pending physical and formal announcement.
Bichette, previously a shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays, will be shifting positions to take over third base duties for the Mets. This move aligns with the team's current shortstop, Francisco Lindor, maintaining his role. Notably, Bichette has no prior professional experience playing at third base, marking a tactical adjustment for both him and the team.
The contract structure offers Bichette the option to opt out after each of the first two seasons, with earnings of $47 million for one year, or $89 million for two years respectively. Importantly, the deal contains no deferred payments and grants Bichette a full no-trade clause. His annual average of $42 million ties for the sixth-highest ever recorded in Major League Baseball, underscoring his valued status.
This signing is part of a broader significant offseason transformation for the Mets, who faced fan criticism after losing prominent players Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz to free agency. Furthermore, president of baseball operations David Stearns has orchestrated trades involving homegrown talents Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, intensifying the reshaping of the squad.
Alongside Bichette, New York has bolstered its roster by signing closer Devin Williams to a $51 million, three-year contract, infielder Jorge Polanco to a $40 million, two-year agreement, and reliever Luke Weaver on a $22 million, two-year deal, signaling an aggressive approach to rebuilding.
Bichette's strengths as a hitter—characterized by rapid hand speed and a propensity for line-drive doubles—offer the Mets a potent right-handed bat, complementing left-handed slugger Juan Soto. However, given Bichette's lack of experience at third base, this positional change introduces uncertainty despite management's declared commitment to enhancing defensive performance.
The Mets' options for third base have shifted due to these developments. Polanco has limited major league experience at first base, where both he and Mark Vientos, once a third baseman, contend to replace Alonso's role. Brett Baty had been projected as the starting third baseman, known for his strong defensive skills and versatility across second base, outfield, and potentially first base, but his future may now include a trade to acquire pitching or outfield assets. Gold Glove recipient Marcus Semien is expected to anchor second base following a trade for Nimmo.
In the 2023 season with Toronto, Bichette posted a .311 batting average, hit 18 home runs, recorded 94 RBIs, and maintained an .840 OPS over 139 games. His performance highlighted his clutch hitting, including a home run off Shohei Ohtani in the World Series Game 7 against the Dodgers. A left knee sprain from a collision late in the season sidelined him until the Series, where he notably played second base for the first time in six years.
Bichette led the American League in total hits for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022), and finished second in batting average in 2023 behind Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Declining a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Blue Jays in November, Bichette’s agreement brings additional compensation implications in the draft, with the Blue Jays to receive an extra pick, while the Mets will lose two draft selections and international signing bonus pool money.
This contract signing comes after other major free agent pursuits have concluded, including Kyle Tucker's four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers. Bichette, turning 28 in March, has been with the Blue Jays since his second-round draft selection in 2016, compiling a career batting average of .294 with 111 home runs and an .806 OPS across 748 major league games.
Bo Bichette is the son of Dante Bichette, a former four-time All-Star outfielder, linking two generations of significant baseball talent. Additionally, the Mets have claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from Tampa Bay, further adding depth to their infield options.