The New York Mets failed to make the playoffs last season and will look to be aggressive this offseason in hopes of adding talent to their roster.
One area of need for the Mets is to add another impact bat, and New York could be after the biggest names on the market. MLB insider Anthony McCarron of SNY predicts the Mets will land Bo Bichette in free agency to be the team’s starting second baseman or third baseman, which is a major need.
“Bichette, who turns 28 in March, batted .311 for Toronto this season with 44 doubles and 18 home runs,” McCaron wrote. “He’s probably not a shortstop anymore, which is ideal, considering the Mets have Francisco Lindor locked in there. But he might make a nifty second sacker or even a third baseman while helping to lengthen the Met lineup. He gets the ball in play effectively – he had a career-best 14.5 percent strikeout rate last year, well below MLB average.”
If the Mets do sign Bichette, he would have to move off shortstop and would play either second base or third base. Whether or not Bichette is open to a move is uncertain, but he did play second base in the World Series when he came back from injury.
Bichette hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs this season. He led the AL in hits in 2021 and 2022.
What Will Bichette Get in Free Agency?
Bichette is one of the top free agents available and will be in line for a massive payday.
Although Bichette may have to move off shortstop, he’s still one of the top hitters in the MLB. MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts Bichette will sign a seven-year, $189 million deal in free agency.
“He’s a below-average defender at shortstop, however, and several interested teams view him as an option for third base going forward,” Bowden wrote. “His prime years have just begun and he’s one of the youngest free agents on the market, though he has dealt with several lower body injuries the past couple of years. As long as teams have a clear sense of the health of his knee, Bichette will have plenty of suitors in free agency because he could be considered a fit as a shortstop, a third baseman or a second baseman. Contract prediction: 7-years, $189 million.”
Bichette will be heavily pursued this offseason, and Bowden lists the Blue Jays, Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies as four of the nine potential teams interested in him.
Mets Owner Apologizes For Missing Playoffs
Despite New York landing Juan Soto in free agency, the Mets failed to make the playoffs.
After the disappointing season, Mets owner Steve Cohen sent a message on social media apologizing for the season.
“Mets fans everywhere. I owe you an apology,” Cohen wrote on X. “You did your part by showing up and supporting the team. We didn’t do our part, we will do a post-mortem and figure out the obvious and less obvious reasons why the team didn’t perform up to your and my expectations.
“We are all feeling raw emotions today. I know how much time and effort you have put into this team. The result was unacceptable. Your emotions tell me how much you care and continues to motivate the organization to do better. Thank You to the best fans in sports.”
Despite missing the playoffs, the Mets have the sixth-best odds to win the World Series in 2026 at +1500.
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