Why Bo Bichette is 'unlikely' to opt out of $42 million Mets contract

Bo Bichette, a two-time All-Star, is having the worst offensive season of his career despite being under contract with the Mets. The American League star signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets, which includes opt-out clauses, but it seems unlikely he will exercise the option to leave the team. His current performance with the Mets is far from his consistent production with the Toronto Blue Jays, listed by Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter among the top 25 most overpaid players in baseball.

Bichette's $42 million annual value (AAV) is a significant overpay for the Mets. Although he is still only 28 years old, Bichette is struggling with the transition from shortstop to third base, which has not been as productive as his time in the outfield. His current batting average of .268 with 12 home runs and a .704 OPS is a stark contrast to his league-leading .331 average in 2021 and .431 in 2022.

With his contract guarantee being higher than what he would likely receive in the free agent market, it makes more financial sense for Bichette to remain with the Mets in 2027. However, the decision ultimately rests on whether it is the best move for the NL East club.