Bichette opts out of free agency, locks in Mets deal for 2027
The shortstop will play next season in New York for $42 million, declining to test the free agent market after a mixed 2026 campaign.
By Rafael Delgado ·
Bo Bichette will remain with the New York Mets for the 2027 season, choosing to exercise a player option worth $42 million rather than enter the free agent pool. The team announced the decision on Friday, confirming that the 28-year-old infielder will stay in New York for one more year.
Bichette signed a three-year contract in January 2026 that totals $126 million. The deal included a $40 million signing bonus, a base salary of $2 million for the 2026 season, and player options for both 2027 and 2028, each valued at $42 million. By exercising the option for next year, he avoids becoming a free agent until the end of the 2027 season.
The 2026 season marked a transition for Bichette, who previously served as the shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays. In New York, he shifted primarily to third base, a position occupied by Francisco Lindor in Toronto. Bichette finished the year with a .260 batting average, 18 home runs, and 78 runs batted in. These numbers trailed his 2025 performance, where he hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs while helping the Blue Jays secure an American League playoff berth.
Bichette’s season began with a slump. Through his first 61 games, ending on June 2, he hit .213 with five home runs, 28 RBIs, and an on-base plus slugging percentage of .570. He regained his form following a four-hit game in Seattle. From June 3 through the end of the season, he appeared in 99 games, posting a .289 average, 13 home runs, 50 RBIs, and an OPS of .784.
The decision keeps Bichette under contract through the 2027 season. He retains a player option for 2028 as part of his original agreement, which he may exercise or decline at the end of next year.
