Bichette and New York Mets finalize $126 million, 3-year contract

NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Bichette and the New York Mets finalized their $126 million, three-year contract on Tuesday night. The sides agreed to terms last week, subject to a successful physical. Bichette will be introduced by the team Wednesday during a news conference at Citi Field. A two-time All-Star shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette will move to third base with the Mets, who have Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Bichette has never played a professional game at the hot corner. "Throughout his career, Bo has distinguished himself as one of the best pure right-handed hitters in baseball," Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a news release announcing the deal. "He possesses the rare combination of elite bat-to-ball (skills) and power that will impact our lineup. Beyond his on-field skills, Bo has earned the reputation as one of the most intense competitors in our sport. We're excited to add him to our team and believe he fits our organization very well." Bichette can opt out of the contract after the first or second season to become a free agent again. He would receive $47 million for one year and $89 million for two years. The deal does not contain any deferred money and Bichette gets a full no-trade provision. His $42 million average annual value ties for the sixth-highest in baseball history. It's the latest big development in an eventful offseason for the Mets, who angered fans by letting popular slugger Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz leave in free agency. Stearns also traded two other stalwarts, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and versatile veteran Jeff McNeil — both homegrown players. New York signed closer Devin Williams to a $51 million, three-year contract, infielder Jorge Polanco to a $40 million, two-year deal and reliever Luke Weaver to a $22 million, two-year agreement. Although he lacks Alonso's power, Bichette is a proven hitter with quick hands. He gives the Mets a potent right-handed bat to help complement lefty slugger Juan Soto. Because of his inexperience at third, however, Bichette becomes the latest question mark in the field for New York even though Stearns has insisted the team must improve its defense and is determined to do so. Polanco has one pitch of major league experience at first base, where he and Mark Vientos, previously a third baseman, are the leading candidates to replace Alonso. Bichette batted .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games for the Blue Jays last year. He hit a three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Late last season, Bichette sprained his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, keeping the infielder out of the lineup until the World Series. He returned for Game 1 against the Dodgers and played second base for the first time in six years. Bichette led the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022. He finished second in the major leagues in batting average last season to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Bichette turned down a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Blue Jays in November, so they will receive an extra draft pick in July after the fourth round. New York forfeits its second- and fifth-highest draft picks, along with $1 million in 2027 international signing bonus pool allocation. Bichette, who turns 28 in March, had spent his entire career with the Blue Jays since they selected him in the second round of the 2016 amateur draft. He is a .294 career hitter with 111 home runs and an .806 OPS in 748 major league games. He is a son of former big league slugger Dante Bichette, a four-time All-Star outfielder. ___ AP Baseball Writers Ronald Blum and David Brandt and AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed to this report. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb