New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette is struggling both at the plate and in the field through late May 2026, following his high-profile move from the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 28-year-old infielder is batting between . 225 and .
228 with five home runs, well below his career average of . 290.
Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million contract over the winter that includes player opt-outs after the first and second seasons, according to reports from ca.
sports. yahoo.
com and sportingnews. com.
His current underperformance has raised concerns that the Mets could be stuck with a highly expensive contract through 2027 if he decides to opt in.
As reported by empiresportsmedia.
com, Bichette has a negative-0.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) on Baseball Reference and committed his sixth defensive error of the season during a 7-2 loss against Cincinnati on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Despite his surface-level statistics, advanced data from fantasyalarm. com shows a top-12 gap between his actual numbers and expected metrics, including a .
277 expected batting average (xBA).
Contract and Trade Implications
Writer Tim Boyle analyzed the financial and trade implications of Bichette's contract structure for the franchise.
"The player option in Bo Bichette’s contract makes his trade candidacy extremely complicated.
For the Mets, they probably always suspected he’d be good enough this year and end up back in free agency.
Because the season hasn’t gone well for him whatsoever, Bichette seems more like someone who’ll opt in and eat up a large part of the payroll again in 2027," wrote Tim Boyle.
The offensive slump and recent move to shortstop due to roster injuries have increased the pressure on the veteran infielder.
Bichette expressed his personal motivations regarding the high expectations of the New York fan base during an interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
"I’m ready for it, and I’m excited for it.
These fans hold you accountable, and I think as a player wanting to be your best self, that’s only a positive.
...
Just wanting to be the player that the Mets signed is something that I think about a lot," said Bo Bichette.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in the shortstop's capabilities to drive in runs when the team has runners on base.
"We know he's one of the best hitters with runners in scoring position. He's been that type of player.
Think it was just a matter of time. You see a player that is confident," said Carlos Mendoza.
The New York Mets enter their upcoming slate of games looking to climb back above a .
500 winning percentage while awaiting the return of injured starters Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Robert Jr.
