Bo Bichette Exercises $42 Million Player Option with New York Mets
Third baseman will remain with the Mets for the 2027 season after an up-and-down first year.
New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette has exercised his $42 million player option for the 2027 season, according to multiple reports.
Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets last season, which included player opt-outs after each year. His decision to stay comes after an uneven first season in New York, where he transitioned from shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays to third base for the Mets.
Early Season Struggles
The beginning of Bichette's season was marked by struggles, both defensively and offensively. He began at third base but shifted back to shortstop following an injury to Francisco Lindor. At the plate, Bichette had a dismal start, batting .227 with five home runs and 32 RBIs through June 10, posting a .597 OPS.
Second-Half Performance
Following this difficult period, the two-time All-Star saw a significant improvement in his performance from June 11 through the end of the season. During this stretch, he hit .285 with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs, raising his OPS to .779.
Overall, Bichette played in 152 games for the Mets, finishing the season with an .260 batting average, 18 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a .702 OPS. This OPS is below his career mark of .788.
Roster Continuity
Despite the inconsistent season, Bichette's return provides stability on the left side of the Mets' infield, alongside Francisco Lindor. This continuity is particularly valuable as the team faces uncertainty on the right side, with Marcus Semien's performance and the competition for second base, as well as an open competition at first base following the team's efforts to replace Pete Alonso.