Bichette’s Unexpected Shift: From Phillies to Mets
The Philadelphia Phillies were convinced they had Bo Bichette in the bag, but things took a sudden turn.
Initially, Bichette reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $200 million offer from the Phillies. However, he ultimately opted for a three-year deal worth $126 million with the New York Mets, which offers a higher average salary and a few opt-out options.
There were plans in Philadelphia to position Bichette as a third baseman, but it seems those expectations didn’t pan out well.
MLB.com’s Phillies reporter, Todd Zolecki, remarked that the term “outrage” surfaced after news broke of Bichette heading to the Mets instead of the Phillies. “It’s like they’re pulling the rug out from under you,” he noted during a segment on “Phillies Show.”
Last Monday, Philadelphia representatives met with Bichette and regarded him as a strong candidate for their roster. Just a few days later, Zolecki shared that the team had “legitimate, real confidence” about signing him.
A veteran Phillies reporter humorously compared the Mets’ last-minute acquisition of Bichette to the infamous Lufthansa heist depicted in “Goodfellas.” It’s a nod to the real-life robbery at JFK Airport and the Mets’ close proximity to LaGuardia.
Ruben Amaro Jr., a former Phillies GM now affiliated with the Mets, suggested that the recent big signings of Kyle Tucker and Ranger Suarez pushed the Mets into a state of “panic.” Tucker had just inked a remarkable four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers, while Suarez signed for five years at $130 million with the Red Sox.
“As if Phillies fans needed another reason to be mad at the Dodgers, they’re the wild card here,” Amaro added. He believed the chaos stirred by the Dodgers influenced the Mets’ hasty maneuver to secure Bichette.
While Bichette’s primary position had always been shortstop, he indicated a willingness to switch roles, given that Francisco Lindor occupies that spot. The Mets plan to utilize him as their third baseman, especially after losing key players like Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil this offseason.
Turning 28 in March, Bichette has had impressive stats; he led the American League in hits for two consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2022 and was recognized as the best hitter after Aaron Judge in 2025. Even with a significant knee injury that sidelined him in early September, he managed to hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs across 139 games.
