Mets Sign Bo Bichette to Major Contract
The New York Mets have reportedly made noteworthy changes to their roster. They reached an agreement with Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal, as various reports indicate. Following their unsuccessful attempt to sign Kyle Tucker, who ended up with the Los Angeles Dodgers in a four-year, $240 million contract, the Mets shifted focus to Bichette.
This new contract includes opt-out clauses after both the first and second years, according to multiple sources.
Bichette, 27, had quite a productive season with the Toronto Blue Jays, achieving a batting average of .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs over 135 games. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury from a collision at home plate in September, sidelining him for the rest of the regular season as well as the ALDS and ALCS.
He made a return in the World Series, where he played a crucial role for the Blue Jays, helping them get close to victory. In the seven games of the World Series, he batted .348, adding one home run and six RBIs to his stats.
Despite his contributions, he was moved off his usual shortstop position to second base during the World Series due to injury-related mobility issues. It’s worth noting that Bichette has struggled defensively as a shortstop, and it appears the Mets haven’t signed him to play that position, given that Francisco Lindor is currently a strong defensive option at shortstop.
In addition to Bichette, the Mets had previously acquired Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers, a player who won a Gold Glove Award last season. This leads many to think that Bichette will likely be positioned as a third baseman, especially since Semien and Lindor seem to be set in second base and shortstop roles, respectively.
Bichette has never played third base at a professional level, so if the Mets choose to go that route, it would be a new experience for him. Earlier this offseason, the Mets also signed Jorge Polanco as a first baseman, though he hasn’t played a game in the majors yet.
How the Mets structure their infield remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Bichette adds significant firepower to the lineup. Across seven seasons, he boasts a .294 batting average with 111 home runs, 437 RBIs, and 60 stolen bases.
The Mets’ lineup is set to transform dramatically with the inclusion of Bichette and Semien, alongside the exits of key players like Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil, who are moving on as free agents or through trade.
