The Mets are heading into trade deadline season with some tough decisions ahead.
With New York sitting well below .500, David Stearns and the front office should be looking to move pieces over the next few weeks. The approach seems pretty straightforward for most of the roster.
Players on expiring deals make obvious trade candidates. But Bo Bichette presents a more complicated situation.
“Regardless of whether the Mets want to keep him, Bo Bichette’s chances of getting dealt before the deadline are slim because of his contract,” The Athletic’s Will Sammon wrote Monday.
Here’s the thing with Bichette – he’s got player options for the next two seasons. That changes everything.
The 28-year-old infielder is hitting .689 OPS with 10 home runs through 90 games this season. Not exactly the production you’d expect from a two-time All-Star.
Those player options are worth $42 million each for 2027 and 2028. That’s where things get tricky for potential trade partners.
“Generally speaking, there aren’t many teams willing to spend that much money on a player to begin with. A potential lockout next season and Bichette’s performance in 2026 only exacerbate the risk.”
So you’ve got a player who’s underperforming, carrying a massive financial commitment, and there’s uncertainty about the sport’s labor situation next year.
On top of that, Bichette has a no-trade clause. Even if the Mets find a willing partner, he’d have to sign off on any deal.
The way I see it, Bichette’s staying put through the rest of 2026. The Mets will have to hope he turns things around and becomes more attractive to other teams down the line.
That leaves Stearns focusing on the easier moves – the pending free agents and players without complicated contract structures. It’s not the ideal situation, but sometimes the market dictates your options.
