Mets Agree to 3-Year Deal with Bo Bichette, Reshaping Their Infield Strategy
In a swift pivot after missing out on Kyle Tucker, the New York Mets have reportedly secured shortstop Bo Bichette with a substantial three-year, $126 million contract according to The Athletic’s Will Sammon. This major acquisition represents another bold move in what has been an aggressive offseason strategy for the Mets. The two-time All-Star shortstop won’t be playing his natural position in Queens, however, as the team plans to convert him to third base—a position he has never played professionally at any level. This unconventional positional shift highlights the Mets’ determination to fit premium talent into their lineup regardless of traditional roster construction principles.
The defensive transition for Bichette will be closely scrutinized as he attempts to master a new position. Last season, his defensive metrics at shortstop were concerning, with a minus-13 outs above average rating indicating below-average performance. His brief experience at second base during the World Series showed more promise with a neutral defensive rating. The Mets appear confident that Bichette’s athleticism will translate well to the hot corner, but this remains a significant gamble given his complete lack of professional experience at third base. The team is clearly prioritizing Bichette’s offensive contributions over defensive certainty, betting that his bat will more than compensate for any defensive growing pains that might emerge during this transition.
This acquisition triggers a domino effect throughout the Mets’ roster, particularly affecting young talents Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. Baty, originally developed as a third baseman, is now expected to see more action in left field—a position where he has minimal experience with just one major league appearance and 29 minor league games in the outfield. Meanwhile, Vientos will likely split time at first base with Jorge Polanco as the Mets reconfigure their infield. These position changes represent significant developmental adjustments for two promising young players who are still establishing themselves at the major league level.
The outfield situation becomes particularly intriguing with Baty’s projected move. Beyond superstar Juan Soto, the Mets currently lack proven outfield options, making Baty’s successful transition crucial to their 2024 plans. While Baty showed offensive improvement last season with a respectable .254/.313/.435 slash line and 18 home runs, his limited outfield experience makes this a challenging adjustment. The departure of Brandon Nimmo has created a significant void in the Mets’ outfield, and the organization appears to be taking an unconventional approach to addressing it by converting an infielder rather than pursuing established outfielders through free agency or trades.
For Bichette, this deal marks a significant career pivot. After establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier shortstops with the Toronto Blue Jays, he now faces the challenge of mastering a new position while maintaining the offensive production that earned him this substantial contract. His willingness to change positions demonstrates flexibility that should endear him to the Mets’ fan base, though expectations will be high given his $42 million annual salary. The pressure will be immense for Bichette to produce immediately while learning the nuances of third base, a position with unique defensive challenges compared to shortstop.
The Mets’ aggressive offseason continues to reshape their roster in dramatic fashion. After acquiring Marcus Semien earlier and now adding Bichette, the team has committed significant resources to reimagining their infield. These moves demonstrate owner Steve Cohen’s continued willingness to spend lavishly in pursuit of championship contention. While questions remain about how these pieces will fit together defensively, the Mets have undoubtedly assembled a formidable collection of offensive talent. As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on how Bichette adapts to third base, how Baty develops in left field, and whether this unconventional approach to roster construction can translate to success in the highly competitive National League East.
