Bichette Stays With Mets on $126 Million Deal
The infielder declined to opt out of his three-year contract, keeping him in New York for the 2027 season.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Baseball
Bo Bichette chose not to exercise his opt-out clause in his three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets. The 28-year-old will earn $42 million in 2027.
Why it matters
The decision keeps a key infielder under contract for New York's baseball fans and shapes how the Mets approach their 2027 roster. The Mets are also less inclined to aggressively pursue Teruaki Sato, according to The Athletic.
Bichette hit .260 with 18 home runs, 78 RBIs and a .702 OPS across 160 games in 2026, playing 113 of those games at third base. Semien and Polanco together count $49 million against the Mets' 2027 payroll, with Semien carrying $26 million and Polanco $23 million.
The players
Bo Bichette
Bo Bichette is a veteran infielder who signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets in January 2026.
Mets
The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Queens that competes in the National League East.
The details
Bichette, 28, signed the three-year deal with the Mets in January 2026, and the contract allows him to opt out after each of the first two seasons. He chose not to exercise that option this winter, so he remains on the roster for the 2027 season.
Timeline
January 2026: The Mets signed Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract.
2026 season: Bichette played his first year with the Mets, batting .260.
Winter 2026-27: Bichette declined to opt out of his contract.
2027: Bichette will earn $42 million under the deal.
Roadmap
The Mets are focusing mainly on starting pitchers in free agency, with Tarik Skubal the top available pitcher. Bichette's decision to stay keeps the team's infield set while the front office pursues rotation upgrades.
Bichette's contract means he will be on the Mets' 2027 roster, which affects fantasy drafts that include third base and middle infield options. The team's payroll commitments to Semien and Polanco also limit how much room the Mets have to add another large contract this offseason.
The takeaway
Bichette's decision signals confidence in the Mets' direction and gives fans a stable core for the upcoming season. Watch for how the team balances its payroll as it pursues starting pitching.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see the Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
