The New York Mets managed to change the narrative on their offseason following the additions of Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta and Luis Robert Jr.
The New York Mets have finally made transactions to excite the fanbase.
However, two targets that were constantly rumored to end up in Queens did ultimately land elsewhere. The Los Angeles Dodgers signed outfielder Kyle Tucker and the across-town rival New York Yankees re-signed outfielder Cody Bellinger. Both stars were speculated to be high-priority free agent signings for the Mets, but those dreams are over.
Despite missing out on two marquee free agents, New York was shockingly able to sign infielder Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal that includes opt-outs after each season. While many Major League Baseball fans expected the 27-year-old to sign with either the Boston Red Sox or Philadelphia Phillies, Bichette instead ended up with the Mets, where he'll reportedly be taking over at third base.
The only issue with Bichette's contract is the opt-outs, meaning he could spend just one year in Queens, then test free agency after the 2026 season. The contract immediately drew comparisons to ex-Red Sox star Alex Bregman who landed with the Chicago Cubs this offseason -- the third baseman had an extremely similar deal as the Mets' with Bichette.
The club also swung a trade for Milwaukee Brewers' ace Freddy Peralta and Chicago White Sox's outfielder Luis Robert Jr. This was possibly the greatest 24-hour span for Mets fans in recent memory, immediately changing the narrative of the offseason and putting the club back into the conversation as a World Series contender.
Lucas notes that New York may have taken the most budget-friendly route toward filling out the outfield and rounding out it's rotation, not that the Mets needed to penny pinch. Acquiring an elite defender like Robert Jr through trade was very unexpected, but it should pay off.
Many fans love to talk about the starpower of the Dodgers, but the Mets have entered similar conversations. Outfielders Juan Soto and Robert Jr, infielders Francisco Lindor and Bichette, and a rotation that features righties Peralta, Nolan McLean and Kodai Senga and right-handed closer Devin Williams are forces to be reckoned with.
The Mets have finally answered fans' prayers after a lengthy offseason of patiently waiting for a big splash, and now have added a plethora of talent across the field.
Whether the club is still willing to add is yet to be seen, but there's still a month left until Spring Training and a handful of names that haven't inked a contract.
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