The New York Mets’ largely moribund off-season took a dramatic turn for the better Jan. 16, as the club agreed to terms with All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.
Bichette’s stay in New York could be a brief one: He has opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons, and can reenter the free agent market at 28 next winter, unencumbered by draft-pick compensation.
Bichette was the last premier free agent available and his agreement with the Mets comes just hours after slugger Kyle Tucker, the consensus No. 1 player on the market, spurned them for a four-year, $160 million deal. Now, the Mets have an admirable infield alignment and, once again, a daunting lineup, with Bichette likely to play third base, All-Star Francisco Lindor at shortstop, trade acquisition Marcus Semien at second and a combination of Jorge Polanco and Mark Vientos at first.
Bichette, the former Toronto Blue Jays’ shortstop, played a pivotal role in the team’s trip to the 2025 World Series, posting a .311/.357/.483 slash line in 139 regular season games before sitting out the first two rounds of the playoffs due to a knee injury. He returned and had eight hits and a key home run in the Blue Jays’ seven-game World Series loss to the Dodgers.
Here’s everything to know regarding Bichette’s new contract.
Bo Bichette contract details
Bichette agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal, likely with opt-out clauses.
Bo Bichette 2025 stats
Bichette played in 139 games in 2025, tallying 18 home runs while posting a .311/.357/.483 triple-slash, and an .840 OPS, the highest of his career for a full season.
Much of that success came in the form of increased plate discipline. In 2025, Bichette struck out in just 14.5% of his plate appearances, the lowest mark of his career by over 4%. Bichette also walked in 6.4% of his plate appearances, his best rate since his rookie season in 2019.
