The Phillies were all-in on Bo Bichette. They met his asking price, offered long-term security, and by all accounts, felt they had him. But in a twist that stings even more because of who swooped in, Bichette is heading to Queens - not Philadelphia - on a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets.
This isn’t just a case of losing out on a top free agent. It’s losing him to a division rival, and in a way that cuts a little deeper when you look at the details.
According to reports, Philadelphia agreed to the terms Bichette laid out - a seven-year, $200 million contract. That’s a serious commitment, both in money and years.
But the Mets came in late with a different kind of offer: fewer years, more money per season, and - most importantly - flexibility.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Bichette’s deal with New York includes opt-outs after both the first and second seasons. That means he’s not just betting on himself - he’s giving himself multiple escape hatches. If he puts together a monster 2026, he can hit the market again at just 28 years old, coming off a $42 million payday and potentially setting himself up for another massive contract.
This kind of structure is becoming more common among star players looking to maximize their value. Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman have already played this game - short-term deals with sky-high annual salaries and the ability to re-enter free agency while still in their prime. Bichette is following that model, and the Mets were willing to play ball.
The Phillies? Not so much.
They were looking for a long-term cornerstone, not a short-term rental with an exit strategy built in. For them, the opt-outs were a dealbreaker.
And that’s ultimately what cost them.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Philadelphia, who now find themselves without their top free-agent target and with few comparable alternatives left on the board. The front office will have to pivot - and fast - but there’s no sugarcoating this one.
Bichette was within reach. They offered the years, they offered the dollars.
But in the end, the Mets offered something else: control.
And that, more than anything, is what sealed the deal.