Bo Bichette Faces Mets Decision After Disappointing 2026 Season

Bo Bichette faces a decision about his future with the New York Mets after a disappointing first season in New York, where the infielder recorded a .260 batting average, 18 home runs and 78 RBIs in 160 games. His three-year, $126 million contract includes a $42 million player option for 2027, with his decision due five days after the World Series ends.

According to Metsmerized Online, Bichette finished the 2026 season with a .312 on-base percentage, a .390 slugging percentage and a .702 OPS. He collected 166 hits, scored 76 runs and struck out 127 times across 696 plate appearances, earning a C+ grade in the outlet's season review.

The Mets missed the playoffs despite making substantial roster changes around Bichette. Heavy.com reported that the club also parted ways with Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil while adding Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.

Those changes made it difficult to assess Bichette's individual impact in isolation. The Mets entered the season seeking to avoid the late-season collapse that contributed to their narrow playoff miss in 2025, but their 2026 campaign ended with a larger gap from postseason contention.

Bichette's slow start contributed to the team's offensive concerns. After going 1-for-14 with eight strikeouts during his first three games, he recorded a .570 OPS through June 2, according to Metsmerized Online. The following night, he went 4-for-4 with three RBIs against Seattle.

That performance marked the beginning of a stronger stretch. Bichette hit .289/.337/.447 over his final 99 games, approaching his career averages of .288/.332/.456. However, the Mets were already 26-35 when his turnaround began and never moved closer than seven games below .500 for the remainder of the season.

Defensively, Bichette played third base for the first time in his career, recording one out above average and committing five errors in 113 games. In 47 games at shortstop while Francisco Lindor was injured, Bichette registered minus-two outs above average and made five errors.

The contract decision could determine whether Bichette remains in Queens for another season. Under the agreement, he can opt out after the 2026 season and receive a $5 million buyout, or return for 2027 at $42 million with another $42 million player option for 2028.

MLB.com reporter Anthony DiComo assessed the likelihood of Bichette remaining with the Mets in his Mets Beat newsletter. He noted that the infielder's improved production later in the season and growing comfort in New York could influence his decision.

"The answer to this is probably yes, but until Bichette actually puts pen to paper, it will remain an open question," wrote Anthony DiComo, discussing whether Bichette would stay with the Mets.

DiComo also cited the difficulty of securing a new contract that would exceed Bichette's current average annual value of $42 million. The player could instead return for 2027 and reconsider his options a year later.

Bichette has expressed satisfaction with his situation in New York, highlighting the team's young talent and veteran leadership in comments to The Athletic's Will Sammon.

"I'm having a great time here," Bichette told Will Sammon of The Athletic. "I'm enjoying my teammates and I think that the future here is bright. The team is building something good.

There's a winning atmosphere with veterans who are really great players and young players who are showing they can be winning players on a good team. So that's exciting for me."

Lindor has also voiced support for Bichette's return, predicting that the infielder could improve after gaining another season of experience at third base.

"I think he's gonna be 10 (times) better than what he was this year," Lindor said after the season finale on September 27. "He's a really good hitter. A very unique hitter.

And he's gonna be even better year two playing third base. And I know he's got a lot of fire in him that he's gonna work very hard this offseason try to be the best version of himself. It would mean a lot.

I would love to have him back, for sure."

Lindor previously experienced a difficult adjustment after joining the Mets. Following six seasons with Cleveland in which he hit .285/.346/.488, he recorded a .230/.322/.412 line in his first New York season in 2021 before finishing ninth in MVP voting the following year.

Bichette's decision deadline falls five days after the World Series concludes. The 2026 championship series is scheduled to end no later than October 31, leaving his contract status unresolved until he formally exercises or declines his player option.