Bo Bichette exercises $42M player option after disappointing season

New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bo Bichette exercises $42M player option after disappointing first season with Mets

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 30, 2026 8:01 AM ET

Just two seasons after reaching the NLCS for the first time since 2015, the New York Mets left their fans disappointed with a 74-88 record, good for last place in the National League East.

The disastrous season was a bit concerning, especially considering New York made a major offseason move in inking Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract.

A caveat of Bichette's contract was an opt-out prior to Years 2 and 3 of the deal. Bichette was expected to opt into the second year of his Mets contract, and a report Thursday gave more clarity on the situation.

Bo Bichette will return to the Mets in 2027

According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, Bichette has opted into the second year of his contract and will return to New York next season. The opt-in guaranteed $42 million for Bichette in 2027, something that would've been foolish to pass up.

Bo Bichette is exercising his $42 million player option for next season and staying with the New York Mets, league sources tell The Athletic.

Bichette, 28, holds another player option worth the same amount for 2028. https://t.co/P1Za76PHRV
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) October 29, 2026

Bichette had a disappointing first season with the Mets, as he slashed .260/.312/.390, good for an OPS of .702 with 18 home runs, 25 doubles and 78 RBI.

It was not the offensive output he or the organization had hoped for, something that likely caused him to opt in to what is a bit of an overpay.

"It's a big deal for the Mets even though it's not a surprise because this gives them a chance to finally see the group they built to anchor their lineup last year but lost to injury"@chelsea_janes reacts to Bo Bichette opting in to 2027 with the Mets pic.twitter.com/TMkMTLoT1l
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) October 29, 2026

Can the Mets be competitive in 2027?

With the talent and payroll New York has put into its roster, there is no reason that the Mets shouldn't consistently be among one of the best teams in baseball.

That hasn't been the case, though, and New York has reached the postseason just twice since 2016. Bichette, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto were supposed to be the trio that helped the Mets reach the playoffs for just the fourth time since they lost the World Series in 2015.

If that trio is able to stay healthy for the entirety of the 2027 season, it would be shocking not to see a full Citi Field rocking and hosting postseason baseball when the calendar turns to October.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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