After the 2026 season concludes, New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette could face a pivotal decision about his career path.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, MLB teams anticipate that Bichette will opt out of the final two years of his three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets. Doing so might give clubs like the Philadelphia Phillies another chance to pursue the former Toronto Blue Jays star.
Bichette’s first season in New York has been underwhelming. He is currently batting .236 with a .644 OPS and an 80 OPS+, meaning he ranks 20% below league-average offensively. His overall production has also declined, as reflected by his -0.5 bWAR, which places him below replacement level.
From a financial standpoint, opting out involves considerable risk. Bichette received a $40 million signing bonus and is making a $2 million salary this year. His contract features annual opt-out clauses, giving him full control over whether to stay with the Mets. If he opts out after the season, he would also receive an additional $5 million buyout, effectively making the deal a one-year, $47 million agreement.
However, opting out would mean forgoing the remaining $84 million on his contract—though, after accounting for the buyout, the net amount left would be about $79 million, per Nightengale.
The opt-out provision was included when Bichette signed with the Mets after leaving Toronto, allowing him a realistic path to free agency each offseason. The original assumption was that he would trigger the opt-out following a strong season, but his disappointing performance has cast doubt on whether he could land a deal matching the Mets’ annual financial commitment.
Still, league executives expect Bichette to opt out regardless, which could reopen the door for the Phillies and other interested teams to pursue him again this coming offseason.
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