Jon Heyman Bo Bichette’s Mets opt-out decision far from foregone conclusion By Jon Heyman Published Sep. 17, 2026, 8:07 p.m. ET Bo Bichette reacts after Carson Benge flies out with a runner on base to end the game in the Mets' 7-5, 11-inning loss to the Orioles on Sept. 15, 2026 at Citi Field. Corey Sipkin for New York Post Bo Bichette’s opt-out call seemed obvious a couple of months ago, but a return to his usual offensive productivity after a slow start means it’s no longer quite as automatic he’ll opt in to stay with Mets. (I polled outside agents and it was close to a split decision.)
Bichette is a top-five player for pay with a contract guaranteeing a $42M salary the next two years and yet another opt-out following 2027, when he’ll still be under 30 years old. While he’s raised his average from .217 on May 23 to .263 today, he has a 0.7 WAR and 97 OPS plus — well below career norms.
The labor uncertainty might cause some caution, but at 28 and supremely talent, Bichette would easily be the top positional free agent in a weak market that features Randy Arozarena, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ryan Jeffers as headliners. Plus, his unique pact actually pays him $5M for opting out, meaning he’d only be giving up $37M in 2027 — not $42M.
A majority of outside agents still guessed Bichette would opt in, but a couple dissented, saying they believe he’ll opt out and test the market. One even said he’d expect to “leverage” the Mets into enhancing his deal to keep him. (Mets people say they are unaware of Bichette’s intentions.)
