NEW YORK — Infielder Bo Bichette will remain with the New York Mets after choosing to exercise his $42 million player option for the 2027 season, according to multiple reports published Thursday.
The decision was first reported by The Athletic and subsequently confirmed by the New York Post. Under the terms of his contract, Bichette had five days following the conclusion of the World Series to decide whether to opt out and test free agency or remain in Queens.
A massive financial guarantee
Bichette originally joined the Mets prior to the 2026 campaign after reaching the World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays. News outlets gave slightly differing figures for the total value of that original package: The Post and Bleacher Report described it as a three-year, $126 million agreement featuring player opt-outs following each year, while The Bergen Record pegged the initial pact at $136 million across three seasons. Both agree Bichette is due $42 million in 2027 and holds another $42 million player option for the 2028 campaign.
By choosing to opt in, the 28-year-old secures one of the highest single-season salaries in baseball rather than gambling on the open market, particularly with industry unease surrounding potential labor strife and an anticipated league lockout scheduled for Dec. 2.
Rebounding from a rocky debut
Bichette’s inaugural year in New York was marked by extreme swings at the plate as he transitioned defensively to third base while Francisco Lindor held down shortstop. Bichette stumbled early, batting just .219 with an OPS of .583 through the end of May.
He stabilized over the final four months of the schedule, posting a .772 OPS from June through September. Bichette appeared in 160 games, ultimately compiling a .260 batting average, a .312 on-base percentage, 18 home runs, 76 runs scored and 78 runs batted in.
“The first three months were some of the longest of my career, for sure, a combination of so many different things,” Bichette told the New York Post at the conclusion of the season. “Simply put, my performance and the team’s performance in a new situation. I think I can look at the season and in some ways see it in a positive light and I think the team can as well.”
Lineup continuity for Queens
Retaining Bichette provides roster continuity for Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, who acknowledged after the regular season that extensive personnel turnover might have hindered the club in 2026 after replacing longtime fixtures Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.
Bichette is expected to slot back into a projected batting order centered around superstars Juan Soto and Lindor, alongside young contributors Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. In other preliminary transactions, the Mets claimed infielder Kyren Paris off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and designated outfielder Cristian Pache for assignment, according to The Post.
The Mets now pivot to addressing pitching depth across the starting rotation and bullpen before baseball transactions halt ahead of the winter labor deadlines.
