Overview
- Multiple publications reported Thursday that ESPN’s Jeff Passan called Bo Bichette’s choice a “genuine coin flip” and predicted Bichette may opt out of his Mets deal.
- Bichette can trigger an opt-out after the 2026 season that would forfeit roughly $84 million in remaining salary and instead pay him a $5 million buyout.
- His 2026 numbers were below peak form, with reporters citing a .265 average, 16 home runs and 73 RBIs, though several outlets noted a late-season uptick that could help his market.
- Coverage emphasizes a weak 2026–27 free-agent class and talk of salary-cap and lockout risks as key factors that could either boost or depress Bichette’s chances of landing a longer, bigger deal.
- For the Mets the choice is central to offseason planning because an opt-out would send Bichette to free agency before age 29 and force New York to find an infield replacement or adjust payroll.