Bo Bichette Stays with the Mets, Eyes Future Success
Bo Bichette has decided to remain in New York, perhaps with ambitions of achieving greatness there. While Doug Heffernan might always hold the title of the “King of Queens,” if Bichette plays a key role in leading the New York Mets to a World Series win, that could spark some interesting discussions. On Thursday, he opted into his $42 million contract to stick with the team, as reported by multiple sources.
Last season, Bichette inked a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets, which included options to opt out after each year. Although the 28-year-old had a rather inconsistent year, he ultimately chose to continue with the team.
Transitioning from his previous role as a shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette took on the responsibilities of a third baseman for the Mets. His start to the season was, well, rocky. He initially played third base but had to shift back to shortstop due to an injury to Francisco Lindor.
In the early going, things were tough at the plate. By June 10, Bichette’s batting average was just .227, with five home runs and 32 RBIs, coupled with a lowly .597 OPS.
However, after that rough start, Bichette began to find his rhythm, looking more like the powerful hitter fans had come to know. From June 11 until the end of the season, he posted a .285 batting average, with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs, resulting in a .779 OPS. Overall, he ended the season playing 152 games, finishing with a .260 average, 18 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a .702 OPS, all slightly below his career average of .788.
Given his up-and-down season, it seemed unlikely that he would command a free-agent contract exceeding the $42 million he’s set to make in 2027. Nonetheless, his decision to return is beneficial for the Mets, bringing some much-needed stability to their left infield alongside Lindor.
This stability holds additional significance considering the uncertainties on the right side of the infield. Marcus Semien faced challenges last season and is expected to battle it out with Brett Baty and others for the second-base position. Meanwhile, first base remains an open question, as the team has struggled to fill the void left by Pete Alonso.
