New York Mets Sign Bo Bichette to Three Year $126 Million Contract in Major Free Agency Pivot

The New York Mets made a swift and aggressive pivot in MLB free agency, agreeing to a three year, $126 million contract with All Star infielder Bo Bichette less than 24 hours after losing out on Kyle Tucker, according to sources confirmed Friday.

The deal is pending a physical and includes player opt out clauses after both the first and second seasons, giving Bichette significant flexibility while committing the Mets to an average annual value of $42 million with no deferred money. With the signing, New York’s projected payroll rises to approximately $345.7 million, pushing the club past the highest competitive balance tax threshold of $304 million, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

Because Bichette declined a qualifying offer from the Toronto Blue Jays worth $22.025 million, the Mets will forfeit their second and fifth highest selections in the 2026 MLB Draft along with $1 million from their international bonus pool. Toronto will receive a compensatory pick after the fourth round. The Blue Jays originally selected Bichette in the second round of the 2016 draft.

The agreement came roughly 12 hours after Tucker chose the Los Angeles Dodgers on a four year, $240 million contract, rejecting a four year, $220 million offer from New York. That decision intensified pressure on owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns, particularly after the offseason departures of Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil.

This time, the Mets prevailed, outbidding a field that included the Philadelphia Phillies with a short term structure that could realistically function as a one year deal if Bichette exercises his first opt out. The strategy reflects New York’s continued willingness to deploy financial flexibility to acquire elite offensive talent regardless of positional fit.

Bichette is expected to move to third base, a position he has not played in the major leagues, while Jorge Polanco is slated to handle first base after signing with the Mets in December. Francisco Lindor will remain at shortstop, and Juan Soto anchors the outfield. While Stearns has emphasized run prevention this offseason, the Mets’ pursuits of Tucker and Bichette were driven primarily by lineup impact.

At 28 in March, Bichette remains one of the most consistent hitters in baseball when healthy. Across seven seasons with Toronto, he produced a .294 batting average, .337 on base percentage and .469 slugging percentage, batting .290 or better in six seasons. He has led the American League in hits twice and earned two All Star selections.

Bichette rebounded strongly last season after an injury affected 2024, hitting .311 with 18 home runs and an .840 OPS in 139 games as the Blue Jays surged from last to first in the American League East. He later returned from an ankle injury during the postseason, batting .348 with a .923 OPS while playing second base for the first time in his career and delivering a go ahead three run home run off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series, which Toronto ultimately lost in extra innings.

With the Mets, Bichette is projected to bat third behind Lindor and Soto, restoring right handed protection in the heart of the order after Alonso’s departure. His bat immediately reshapes the lineup outlook and provides needed middle of the order stability.

Brett Baty, previously penciled in as the starting third baseman, could transition into a utility role or become a trade candidate as New York continues exploring upgrades in the outfield or rotation. Baty, 26, posted a .291 average and .829 OPS over 55 games after the All Star break last season and has minimal outfield experience at the major league level.

Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuna remain part of the Mets’ infield depth mix and could factor into part time roles or trade discussions as roster construction continues.

The signing of Bichette represents the latest breaking update in an offseason defined by aggressive spending and rapid recalibration. The next steps for the Mets include finalizing defensive alignment decisions, managing luxury tax implications and determining whether additional roster moves are needed to support a championship push in the upcoming season.