The New York Mets quickly adjusted their offseason plans after missing out on Kyle Tucker, agreeing to a deal wiht shortstop Bo Bichette. The Mets and Bichette reached a three-year, $126 million contract on January 16, according to reports citing sources.
Mets Secure Bo Bichette on Three-Year Deal
Table of Contents
- Bo Bichette agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets.
- The deal includes opt-out options after the first and second seasons.
- Bichette is expected to play third base, possibly shifting Brett Baty to first base.
- Former GM Jim Duquette praised the move, while Chris Rose expressed concern about positional adjustments.
The contract, which doesn’t include any deferred money, carries an average annual value of $42 million.Bichette joins a Mets lineup already featuring juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, bolstering their offensive firepower.
Duquette Praises Mets’ Swift Move
After Tucker opted to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, former MLB general manager Jim Duquette lauded the Mets’ fast pivot. “Excellent move,” Duquette said on a January 16 appearance on MLB Network radio on SiriusXM. “I really,really like this one. And a shorter term [deal] obviously,when it comes to the risk,there,too. But Bichette is a really good player.”
Duquette anticipates Bichette will likely play third base, with Brett Baty potentially moving to first base. “Baty showed the ability and the versatility to play other positions. I thought he did a stand-up job at second, doing a good job there at second base last year when thay moved him there,” he added.
Projected Mets Infield Takes Shape
Duquette outlined a potential Mets infield configuration with Bichette in the mix.”If you look at taking him at third, and then Lindor at short, [Marcus] Semien in at second, Baty, and maybe [Mark] Vientos at first, the DH spot becomes [Jorge] Polanco, or Polanco hits some mix in there at first base,” Duquette explained.”that’s a good upgrade for them all the way around. And you got a nice young player.”
Concerns Arise Over Positional shifts
While the acquisition is largely viewed positively, Jomboy Media’s Chris Rose voiced concerns about the potential ripple effect of positional changes.”Bo Bichette is one of the best bat‑to‑ball guys that still has pop,” Rose said in a January 16 video posted on X. “He’s going to help their lineup, puts the ball in play. He sprays it all over the yard. I dig all that.”
However, Rose added, “It feels much more like a fantasy lineup than a reality lineup. And what I mean by that is you’ve got a bunch of good players all over the place, but Polanco, we’re asking to play first base for really the first time in his career. We’re asking Bo Bichette to play third base for the first time ever. I don’t think he had an inning in the minor leagues at third base.”
rose also questioned the potential for further adjustments, noting that brett Baty could potentially see time in the outfield. “I don’t feel like anything’s nailed down there in the outfield.So it feels like the pieces might be right. It feels like the Mets are accumulating the right pieces, but they’re not being placed in the right areas of the field.”
