Bo Bichette Expected To Opt Out Of Contract After Just One Year With New York Mets

The New York Mets underwent plenty of changes this offseason. 

Some of the big losses were All-Star closer Edwin Diaz signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and fan favorite slugger Pete Alonso inking a massive five-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles. 

The Mets also traded players such as Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, and they brought in some others as well, including Jorge Polanco and then trades that landed them Luis Robert Jr. and Freddy Peralta. 

The splashy free agency move was not Kyle Tucker, but instead, it was Toronto Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette. 

The Mets gave Bichette a massive three-year deal worth $126 million, which comes out to an average annual value of $42 million a year. 

So far, Bichette has been up and down. As of June 16, he is hitting just .245 with eight home runs and 40 RBI. 

Bichette has an option after this year, and USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that he is expected to opt out and hit free agency again. 

"Teams expect New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette to opt out of the final two years of his Mets contract after the season, giving clubs like the Philadelphia Phillies a second shot at him. It could be a massive gamble for Bichette considering he’s still owed $79 million. He is earning $2 million this year after already being paid a $40 million signing bonus, and if he opts out, he will be paid an additional $5 million," Nightengale wrote. 

Bichette opting out would be a huge surprise, especially considering the large amount of money he is owed for the next two years of his contract. But, maybe he doesn't want to be in Queens? 

The Philadelphia Phillies were one of the finalists for Bichette, and the Mets couldn't afford to lose another free agent after missing out on Tucker and seeing Alonso and Diaz depart for other teams. 

Right now, Bichette has been played primarily third base, a position he is not used to, and he is just one of several Mets stars who are struggling as Carlos Mendoza's team has some work to do if they want to get into the postseason. 

If Bichette does enter free agency after this season, he likely won't receive this type of contract, unless he turns things around quickly this season. 

Plus, the new CBA and labor talks have sparked questions about a lockout, and a new bargaining agreement could change some financial aspects moving forward. 

Maybe Bichette changes his mind. Maybe Bichette turns it around and cashes in. Or, maybe he heads for free agency and takes a prove-it deal in hopes of cashing in big later.