According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, infielder Bo Bichette is in agreement with the New York Mets.
After missing out on Kyle Tucker just last night to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets made a pivot. The reported offer is 3 years for $126 million. Bichette has opt-outs built into the contract with New York and no deferred money. The deal also includes a no-trade clause.
Bichette reportedly had become the Philadelphia Phillies’ top target in recent weeks. The club met with Bichette over Zoom, though never had an in-person with the former Blue Jays shortstop.
Had the Phillies signed him, Bichette would have likely replaced Alec Bohm or Bryson Stott. This would have forced the team to make a corresponding trade before the season began.
It appears likely that the Phillies will now pivot back to J.T. Realmuto as their next option. The team still needs to find a solution at catcher and Realmuto is the best option available. With Bichette out of the way, the financial ramifications of pursuing Realmuto are much less costly for Philadelphia.
Other options in free agency include Harrison Bader and Eugenio Suarez.
