The New York Mets faithful are on pins and needles, waiting until October , maybe even after the World Series , to find out what the deal is with Bo Bichette and his future in the Big Apple. He inked a massive three-year, $126 million deal this past offseason, with player options kicking in after the first and second seasons. The big question looming over the 2027 season is whether Bichette will opt out of his $42 million, or if he’ll decide to stick around. And trust me, the Mets are really hoping for one specific outcome here.
Struggles Mount, But Mets Desperate for Bichette to Stay
MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today has spilled the beans on what the Mets are truly hoping for when it comes to Bichette’s $42 million option. Despite all of his struggles this season, the Mets are secretly, or not so secretly, praying he doesn’t opt out of his current contract. “The Mets are hoping that Bichette at least stick around another season before opting out of the final year of his three-year, $126 million deal,” Nightengale wrote. It’s a wild twist, considering how tough Bichette’s season has been.
His performance this year has been nowhere near that $42 million average annual value. He’s posted a meager 0.8 bWAR in 147 games, with a .707 OPS, which is the second-lowest of his entire MLB career. You’d think the team would be relieved to get that money off the books, right? Wrong. Nightengale straight up called losing Bichette “disastrous” for the Mets, even with his poor play. Getting only one year out of such a huge investment would be a brutal letdown for the club.
What’s Next for Bichette and the Mets?
So, why would Bichette even consider leaving? The free agent market is looking a bit weaker this winter, which could tempt him to test the waters if he’s confident in landing a new deal with more guaranteed money. Plus, there are those looming labor negotiations that could complicate things. If he opts out, the Mets would free up a hefty $42 million from a player who hasn’t been productive, but that cash comes with a cost: a gaping hole in their lineup and a major offseason investment that looks worse by the day.
The decision won’t come until after the season, possibly even after the World Series, but it’s clear the stakes are incredibly high for the Mets. Their offseason strategy, their future lineup, and a cool $42 million all hang in the balance. It’s going to be a tense wait to see if Bichette decides to roll the dice or stick it out for another year.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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