Mets Respond to Kyle Tucker Deal, Sign Bo Bichette

Less than 24 hours after watching the rich get richer with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ acquisition of Kyle Tucker, the New York Mets have responded.

As reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic on Friday afternoon, the Mets and infielder Bo Bichette have agreed to a three-year deal, pending a physical. The deal is for $126 million with two opt-outs (after the first and second seasons), bringing the average annual value to a whopping $42 million per season.

The deal mimics a familiar trend in recent years, prioritizing maximum yearly value on a short-term basis. Tucker, who was expected by many to get upwards of eight years, ended up only getting four, albeit for $60 million per season. Now, Bichette, 27, takes a similar deal with the ability to re-enter free agency after each of the next three seasons.

With Tucker and Alex Bregman (Cubs) both going off the board this week, Bichette was seen by many as the best hitter still on the free agent market.

According to Jon Heyman, Bichette — a career shortstop — will man third base for the club, with Francisco Lindor continuing to play short every day.

What Bichette Brings to the Table

When fully healthy, Bichette is about as consistent as they come. Aside from an injury-riddled 2024 campaign in which he hit .225, the Florida native has never hit below .290 in a season. He is a two-time All-Star, has twice led the league in hits and has received MVP votes on four separate occasions, including in 2025.

Last season, the Mets were extremely susceptible to prolonged peaks and sometimes longer valleys on offense. Aside from Pete Alonso — who is now in Baltimore — not many Mets succeeded with runners in scoring position. In 2025, Bichette hit .381 in such scenarios and drove in 80 runs, despite only hitting eight home runs. 

For the season, he slashed .311/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS and 18 homers. If not for a late-season injury, he would have easily paced the league in hits once again. Even while missing 23 games, Bichette managed 181 hits and 44 doubles — both the second most in the American League.

In the playoffs, Bichette was sidelined with a knee injury until the World Series, but went 8-for-23 upon his return to the lineup, slugging a three-run homer against Shohei Ohtani in Game 7. Across four different playoff runs in Toronto, Bichette hit .311.

Bichette’s strength is his bat. In parts of seven seasons as the Blue Jays’ primary shortstop, he was never known as a defensive strength. In 2025, Bichette placed in the first percentile leaguewide with -13 outs above average, according to Baseball Savant.

Even so, Bichette has posted 3.0 or more wins above replacement four times, according to Baseball Reference. It remains to be seen how he will take to his new defensive home.

A Fit in Flushing?