The New York Mets made a splash on Jan. 16, signing free-agent hitter Bo Bichette. ESPN reported, citing sources, that the Mets and Bichette have agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract.
Moreover, the report reveals that, pending a physical, the deal includes opt-out options after the first and second seasons. With no deferred money, the contract carries a straightforward average annual value of $42 million.
With Bichette now in the fold, the Mets could turn to bolster their starting rotation. However, CBS Sports’ Lewis Brinson doesn’t believe New York should be done with their starting lineup and believes the Mets still have enough money to pursue free-agent hitter Cody Bellinger.
“I think they’re still in the sweepstakes for Mr. Bellinger,” Brinson said during a Jan. 16 appearance on CBS Sports HQ. “I think they could get a little two-for-one right here, win-win situation for the Mets right here. I don’t think they’re out on Cody Bellinger.
“You talk about a three-year $126 [million] for Bo Bichette, that still leaves some money on the table. We all know Mr. [Steve] Cohen ain’t scared to spend some money. So, I think they’re still in the sweepstakes for Cody Bellinger there.”
Nonetheless, if the Mets still have an interest in Bellinger, they will need to edge out the New York Yankees. On Jan. 10, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney reported, citing league sources, that the Yankees offered Bellinger a five-year deal for at least $30 million per season.
Former MLB GM Loves Mets Signing Bo Bichette
The Mets now have another bat to go behind Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor in their starting lineup. With New York scooping up Bichette, former MLB general manager Jim Duquette shared his thoughts on the Mets pivoting to grab a marquee free agent after Tucker decided to join the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Excellent move,” Duquette said on a Jan. 16 appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “I really, really like this one. And a shorter term [deal], obviously, when it comes to the risk, there, too. But Bichette is a really good player.
“And yes, he is going to play third base, likely. And [Brett] Baty would move over to first base. And we’ll see. Baty showed the ability and the versatility to play other positions. I thought he did a stand-up job at second, doing a good job there at second base last year when they moved him there.”
Mets’ Potential Infield Revealed by Former MLB GM
Moreover, Duquette also laid out the picture of how the Mets’ infield will look now that Bichette is in the fold. The former general manager sees lots of moving parts but doesn’t see anyone playing a role that would take a hit on New York’s defense.
“If you look at taking him at third, and then Lindor at short, [Marcus] Semien in at second, Baty, and maybe [Mark] Vientos at first, the DH spot becomes [Jorge] Polanco, or Polanco hits some mix in there at first base,” Duquette added. “That’s a good upgrade for them all the way around. And you got a nice young player.”
Mets Get Big Cody Bellinger Take Amid Yankees Interest