In a quick turn of events after missing out on Kyle Tucker, the New York Mets ink star free agent Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal. Will Sammon of The Athletic was first to report on Friday.
The deal includes opt-outs after the first two years, no deferrals and a full no-trade clause, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The signing is not official due to a pending physical.
According to multiple reports, the Mets will deploy Bichette at third base. This is a position he has never played in his seven-year career. Bichette clearly became President of Baseball Operations David Stearns’ Plan B after Tucker — so what’s the plan now?
What’s Next for the Mets
With Bichette set to be the everyday third baseman, Brett Baty is left without a clear role. Though according to Dan Martin of the New York Post, the Mets plan to play Baty at multiple positions. Baty spent time last season at second base, appearing in 57 games. In previous years, the Mets had the former 2019 first-round pick play outfield – specifically left field.
Though whether the team wants to make that change or move him to second remains to be seen. This also opens up the doors to a potential trade for Baty, who would likely be shipped for an outfielder.
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With the addition of Bichette, Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio’s chances of being dealt shoot up tremendously. The Mets have remained open on trading all three and likely will if the return would satisfy their needs.
The team is still seeking an outfielder and Cody Bellinger remains available as of Friday afternoon. Though the Yankees have been in deep talks with him and his agent Scott Boras, the Mets could swoop in late like they did with Bichette.
The Mets also need to add a starting pitcher to their rotation that doomed them in 2025. The club has shown recent interest in free agent Griffin Canning, who after suffering a season-ending ruptured left achilles tendon in 2025, pitched off a mound Thursday for the first time since the freak accident. Canning, 29, produced a 3.77 ERA in 76.1 innings for the Mets last season and is represented by Wasserman.
Trade options include Freddy Peralta and McKenzie Gore, who the Mets recently spoke with the Nationals about, with Framber Valdez remaining as the top arm still left in free agency. The Mets, among other teams have reportedly met with Valdez. The former Astro is likely to take a shorter-term deal as more and more time passes by — something the Mets are looking for.
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