Bo Bichette and the New York Mets completed their $126 million contract agreement on Tuesday evening. The deal, initially agreed upon last week pending a successful physical, saw Bichette opt for the Mets over the Philadelphia Phillies. He was officially presented by the team on Wednesday at Citi Field.
As part of the arrangement, Bichette will receive a $40 million signing bonus due on March 15, a $2 million salary for this year, and holds player options of $42 million each for 2027 and 2028. Should he decline any of these options, he would be entitled to a $5 million buyout, paid in $1 million increments annually from 2036 to 2040.
A former two-time all-star shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette is set to transition to third base for the Mets, joining Francisco Lindor, the team’s current shortstop. Despite his lack of experience at the position, Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns, highlighted Bichette’s exceptional batting skills and competitive spirit, emphasizing his positive impact on the team.
Shortly after, the Mets made another significant move by acquiring center-fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Luisangel Acuna and minor league pitcher Truman Pauley. Bichette secured a full no-trade clause, and his average annual value of $42 million ranks among the top six in baseball history.
These acquisitions mark the latest major changes for the Mets this off-season, where they bid farewell to key players like Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz. In addition to Bichette and Robert, the Mets also signed closer Devin Williams to a $51 million contract, infielder Jorge Polanco to a $40 million deal over two years, and reliever Luke Weaver to a $22 million contract over two years.
Bichette’s arrival adds a potent right-handed bat to the Mets lineup, complementing left-handed hitter Juan Soto. Despite concerns about Bichette’s transition to third base, the Mets are focused on enhancing their defense, a priority emphasized by Stearns. Polanco, with limited experience at first base, and Mark Vientos are considered top candidates to fill Alonso’s position.
In the 2021 season, Bichette showcased his hitting prowess, boasting a .311 batting average, 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an .840 OPS in 139 games for the Blue Jays. He notably hit a three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Last season, Bichette suffered a left knee sprain in a collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, causing him to miss games until the World Series. Despite this setback, Bichette returned to play in the championship series, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to the game.
Having declined the Blue Jays’ $22,025,000 qualifying offer in November, Bichette’s move to the Mets will result in Toronto receiving an additional draft pick after the fourth round. The Mets, on the other hand, will forfeit their second- and fifth-highest draft picks and $1 million in international signing bonus pool allocation in 2027.
A seasoned player at the age of 28, Bichette has spent his entire professional career with the Blue Jays since being drafted in 2016. As the son of former MLB star Dante Bichette, Bo brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Mets lineup, aiming to make a significant impact on the team’s performance.
