Mets' Star Third Base Signing Already Labeled As Most Overpaid At Position

The New York Mets have been busy the past few weeks, bringing in multiple stars via trade and free agency. Their new infield signing, however, has already made an appearance on a list of each position’s most overpaid player. As a third baseman next season, Bo Bichette is already predicted not to live up to his 2026 annual total of $42 million.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller was the one to pick Bichette – an interesting choice considering there will be an MLB third baseman counting for nearly $34 million against his team’s luxury tax in 2026 in Anthony Rendon of the Los Angeles Angels. Just days after signing with New York, Miller doesn’t seem to have much belief in Bichette’s ability to play third base at the same value level as his salary.

There is a legitimate reason to worry about Bichette’s adjustment to third base, however. For his entire career up until the World Series a few months ago, Bichette has been nothing but a shortstop. He was far from great at the position, however, always finishing at the bottom of qualified shortstops in all defensive metrics.

Bichette finished with -13 outs above average last season, putting him in the 1st percentile of players. He was poor enough to finish dead last in fielding run value in 2025. New York clearly thinks a change to third base can spark some improvement on teh defensive side of things, despite his below-average arm strength. It remains to be seen if this will pan out positively for a Mets team that prioritized defense this offseason.

While his defense leaves a lot to be desired, his bat should be undeniable. Bichette’s coming off a season in which he posted a .311/.357/.483 slash line with a .840 OPS. He hit 63 extra-base hits for the Toronto Blue Jays last season while driving in 94 runs. There’s no question about why the Mets brought in Bichette on such a monstrous deal – his elite bat.

Whether or not he sees even slight improvement at third base for New York doesn't matter as long as he continues his production at the plate. The Mets are much-improved on the defensive side of things, making Bichette’s spot in the hot corner an easier pill to swallow. His placement as the most overpaid third baseman is surely premature after coming off a season in which he helped lead his team to the World Series.