With Mets now focused on future, Bichette staying focused on present

CLEVELAND -- At his introductory press conference back in January, Bo Bichette followed the typical script in introducing himself to New York. Despite coming from a Blue Jays team that had just made it to Game 7 of the World Series, Bichette said the Mets intrigued him because of their ability to win. He likewise agreed to switch from shortstop to third base because he felt it could help his new team.

“My first priority,” Bichette said that day, “is winning.”

The Mets’ three-game sweep of the Guardians aside, however, winning is not something they have done nearly enough. As a result, when Bichette walked into the Progressive Field clubhouse before a 13-6 victory in Thursday’s series finale, he found his locker surrounded by those of relatively anonymous new teammates.

“Any time you find yourself in a situation like this, it’s not the most fun thing,” Bichette said. “You see people leave that you have good relationships with. It means that you’re not in a great place in the standings. But for us, we still have to show up and try to win every day, continue to be professionals. That’s what we’re looking forward to doing.”

Coming out of the Trade Deadline, interim manager Andy Green acknowledged that the rest of 2026 will be an evaluation period for everyone on the roster. That doesn’t just mean young players fighting for jobs on the 2027 team. It also means veterans like Francisco Lindor, who hit a three-run homer on Thursday, and Bichette, whose series included a home run Tuesday as well as a 10th-inning, game-winning single the following night.

For Bichette, the medium-term future is even more critical. His three-year, $126 million contract includes opt-outs after both this season and next. His decision to return -- or not -- will have significant implications both on his own career and the Mets’ roster-building project.

Asked about that contract option, Bichette says he’s solely focused “on what I’ve got to do,” which right now means finishing this season strong.

“The way I look at it is, I think there’s no doubt this team is going to be better next year,” Bichette said. “I really believe that. There’s still a lot of talent in this room, a lot of young talent that’s really hungry, combined with guys that have been around who have done a lot of great things in this game. And then on top of that, typically when you have a season like this, people show up a little bit more motivated. So I think that this group is going to be well prepared to be better next year.”

From a purely economic perspective, Bichette is not a logical candidate to opt out. If he does, it will be nearly impossible for him to match his $42 million average annual value, which is tied for sixth-highest in Major League history. When he signed that deal, Bichette was coming off a season with an .840 OPS. This year, he’s at .671.

Bichette began 2026 in a massive slump, fueled both by a lengthy adjustment period to his new team and a run of rotten batted-ball luck. He followed up two poor months with an All-Star caliber June but a forgettable July. Even after Bichette’s successful week in Cleveland, his season slash line sits at .257/.301/.370.

So if Bichette does consider opting out, bigger-picture factors will have to play a role. At age 28, Bichette probably has enough youth and pedigree to land a contract richer than the $84 million left on his current deal, even if his AAV would be lower. Might he accept that sort of arrangement if it meant a better chance to win?

Earlier this week, coming out of the Deadline, Green held one-on-one meetings with many of his players, including Bichette, to gauge their mindsets heading into the season’s final third.

“I think he’s in a good spot -- as good as you can be,” Green said. “His intent coming here was competing for a World Series, and I think that is heavy on a lot of guys where we find ourselves at this moment. At the same time, carrying that heavy burden doesn’t make you perform well. Going out and believing you’re one of the best players on the planet and swinging the bat like it does.”

Green went on to laud Bichette for his work as a “tremendous teammate” mentoring rookies like A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge. Bichette will continue to do that while aiming to improve himself, knowing he doesn’t really have to consider his contract status until October.

“It hasn’t been my best season for sure,” Bichette said. “If I played better, maybe the season would be different for the team. But just focused on trying to finish strong.”