The Phillies thought they had their man. Dave Dombrowski, Philadelphia’s president of baseball operations, believed Bo Bichette was on the verge of donning red pinstripes.
But instead, the All-Star shortstop stunned the Phillies and signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the division-rival New York Mets - complete with annual opt-outs. And just like that, what felt like a near-certain win for Philly turned into a gut punch.
“I did think we were going to get a deal done. We were close,” Dombrowski admitted.
“It was a gut punch. But until you have a signed memo of understanding, you don't have a deal.”
The Phillies had reportedly offered Bichette a seven-year, $200 million contract - a longer, more secure deal on paper. But the Mets countered with a shorter, high-AAV offer that gave Bichette more flexibility and, crucially, a clearer path to immediate contention. After losing outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers, the Mets moved aggressively, and it paid off.
Bichette, 27, is coming off a 2025 season where he slashed .311 with 18 home runs before a knee injury cut things short. A two-time All-Star, his bat and glove make him one of the most dynamic infielders in the game.
But here’s the twist: the Mets don’t plan to use him at shortstop. With Francisco Lindor already entrenched there, Bichette is expected to slide over to third base, joining a stacked infield that includes Lindor, Marcus Semien, and Juan Soto.
That’s a serious offensive core - and one that just got a lot more dangerous.
The Phillies, meanwhile, are left wondering what went wrong. They were widely considered the frontrunners.
They met with Bichette on January 12. They made a strong offer.
And yet, they walked away empty-handed. It’s the kind of near-miss that stings even more when the player ends up in your own division.
Despite the disappointment, Dombrowski isn’t sounding the alarm.
“I still feel great about our club,” he said.
Dave Dombrowski Fooled Us Again #phillies #mlb #baseball @JohnKincade pic.twitter.com/2ao36FWwUa
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) January 16, 2026
Still, there’s no denying the frustration in Philly. After a relatively quiet offseason, fans were hoping for a splash - and Bichette would’ve been just that.
Instead, the biggest move to date has been re-signing J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million deal.
Solid, sure. But not the kind of headline-grabbing acquisition fans were hoping for, especially after also bringing back Kyle Schwarber.
Local radio hasn’t held back. 97.5 The Fanatic’s John Kincade delivered a pointed critique, saying, “Dave Dombrowski Fooled Us Again,” and questioning the team’s spending priorities. His frustration echoes that of a fanbase that watched a marquee target slip away - and to the Mets, no less.
The optics aren’t great. The Phillies looked like they had a handshake deal, only for the Mets to swoop in late and close. It raises questions about the front office’s ability to close on top-tier targets, especially in a division where the margins are razor-thin and the competition is only getting stronger.
But the offseason isn’t over. One name still looming large on the market is Cody Bellinger - a player who could help reset the narrative if the Phillies act quickly.
The clock is ticking, and Bellinger won’t wait forever. If Philadelphia wants to make a statement before spring training, that’s the move that could do it.
For now, though, Bichette’s decision is a reminder of how quickly things can change in free agency. One moment, you're the favorite.
The next, you're watching a division rival get better while you regroup. The Phillies still have a strong roster, but they’ll need to be bold - and fast - if they want to keep pace in the NL East arms race.