At a Glance
- Bo Bichette and the New York Mets agreed to a $126 million, three-year contract
- The two-time All-Star will shift from shortstop to third base, a position he has never played professionally
- Bichette can opt out after the first or second season, earning $47 million for one year or $89 million for two
- Why it matters: The move reshapes the Mets’ infield and keeps Bichette off the market for other contenders
The New York Mets have secured one of the last marquee bats on the free-agent market, finalizing a $126 million, three-year agreement with two-time All-Star Bo Bichette on Friday, according to two people with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
Contract Structure and Opt-Out Clauses
Bichette’s new pact contains two opt-out opportunities:
- After the first season: $47 million for one year
- After the second season: $89 million for two years
If he exercises either opt-out, the Mets cannot extend a qualifying offer, eliminating any draft-pick compensation should he sign elsewhere.
The deal carries no deferred money and includes a full no-trade clause, giving Bichette complete control over his future.
Position Change and Health Update
Bichette, 27, has spent his entire career at shortstop but will slide to the hot corner to accommodate Francisco Lindor. He has never appeared in a professional game at third base.
The infielder missed the final month of the 2024 regular season after spraining his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with Yankees catcher Austin Wells. He returned for Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers, sliding over to second base for the first time since 2018.
2024 Production and Career Numbers
In 139 games for Toronto last season, Bichette slashed .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS. He homered off Shohei Ohtani in the decisive Game 7 of the Fall Classic.
Career totals with the Blue Jays:
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games | 748 |
| Average | .294 |
| Home Runs | 111 |
| OPS | .806 |
He led the American League in hits in both 2021 and 2022, finishing second in the majors in batting average last season behind only Aaron Judge.
Qualifying Offer Fallout
Bichette rejected Toronto’s one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer in November. Because he did so, the Blue Jays will receive an extra draft pick immediately after the fourth round of the July 2025 amateur draft once his Mets deal becomes official.
Market Dominoes
Bichette’s agreement comes one day after fellow outfielder Kyle Tucker accepted a $240 million, four-year contract with the Dodgers. With Tucker off the board, Bichette became the most prominent position player still available.
The son of four-time All-Star Dante Bichette, Bo was selected by Toronto in the second round of the 2016 draft and has worn a Blue Jays uniform for every professional inning until now.
Key Takeaways
- The Mets add a career .294 hitter to the middle of their order while keeping flexibility through opt-outs
- Toronto gains an additional draft pick but loses a franchise cornerstone
- Bichette’s positional transition will be closely watched after a late-season knee injury
- The agreement underscores the Mets’ win-now posture following a World Series appearance
