New MLB Rumors on Bo Bichette, Mets Contract Amid $84M Player Option Decision

It sounds like New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette could be a one-and-done with the team despite signing a three-year contract this past offseason.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, teams around MLB "expect" Bichette to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Mets. Per Spotrac, he has a combined $84 million in player options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Nightengale noted that he is earning $2 million this year after already being paid a $40 million signing bonus, and he will be paid an additional $5 million if he opts out of his contract.

Bichette signed with the Mets in January after spending seven seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. While he leads New York with 40 RBI, he's hit just eight home runs, and his .236 batting average is the second-lowest mark of his career. He's also committed seven errors this season, five of which came while playing shortstop amid injuries to Francisco Lindor and Ronny Mauricio.

Nightengale noted that if Bichette chooses to opt out of his deal with the Mets, it would give "clubs like the Philadelphia Phillies a second shot at him." Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spoke openly about how disappointed he was to lose Bichette to the Mets over the offseason.

"It's a gut punch," Dombrowski said at the time. "You feel it. That day you are very upset, I guess is the way to say it. You have to pick yourself up and shake it off. You can't just wallow in what took place."

Bichette's lackluster campaign with the Mets could affect his market in free agency, so Nightengale noted that it would be "a gamble" for him to opt out. However, it seems like he and the Mets would be better served if they parted ways.