Mets Land Bo Bichette, Leaving Mariners Fans Wondering What Could've Been
For Mariners fans, the idea of Bo Bichette in Seattle was always more of a “what if” than a real possibility-just realistic enough to entertain, but never quite close enough to believe. A $200 million commitment?
Probably not in the cards. But if the market ever shifted in a way that made a short-term deal possible, well, that’s when things could’ve gotten interesting.
And for a brief moment, it looked like that door might crack open.
When Kyle Tucker signed a surprisingly short four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers on Thursday night, it reshaped expectations. If a top-tier bat like Tucker was settling for a shorter contract, maybe Bichette would too. Maybe-just maybe-the Mariners could sneak into the conversation.
That possibility lasted all of 12 hours.
By Friday morning, the New York Mets had jumped in and locked up Bichette with a three-year, $126 million deal-effectively ending any daydreams in the Pacific Northwest.
The Mets Strike Again
The move feels like déjà vu for Mariners fans. Once again, the Mets swoop in and snatch a player Seattle had at least some interest in.
And the timing? Almost comical.
New York had reportedly been in on Tucker, but lost out by $20 million. With their top target off the board, they wasted no time pivoting to the next name up-Bichette.
It’s also a bit ironic, considering the Mets have been preaching run prevention all offseason. Yet they’re now planning to play Jorge Polanco at first base-a spot he’s never played in the majors-and Bichette at third, where he also has zero MLB innings. As Joel Sherman pointed out, it’s a curious way to build a defense.
But here’s the bottom line: the Mets have Polanco and Bichette. The Mariners don’t.
Seattle’s Missed Opportunities
The Polanco situation still stings. At one point, it felt like Seattle had a real shot to bring him back.
But once the Mets offered two years and $40 million, that door slammed shut. And while the Mariners might’ve been intrigued by a short-term Bichette deal, they weren’t going to match $42 million per year.
That’s the new high-water mark for infielders across the league.
Is that number steep for a player who hasn’t cracked the top 30 in WAR among infielders since 2021? Absolutely.
But desperate times call for bold spending, and Mets owner Steve Cohen isn’t exactly known for playing it safe. This is the same offseason where he gave Polanco $20 million a year.
Still, you can’t help but wonder what Bichette would’ve looked like in Seattle’s lineup. He’s a career .300 hitter with 20+ homer upside-a bat that would’ve slotted in beautifully alongside Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, Josh Naylor, and Randy Arozarena. With one more big bat, this Mariners team could’ve looked like a legitimate World Series threat.
Where Do the Mariners Turn Now?
With Bichette off the board, the Mariners’ best remaining option might be a trade for Brendan Donovan. The good news?
The Mets are probably out of that race. The bad news?
The Red Sox might not be.
And with Boston still lurking, Seattle could find themselves in another uphill battle.
This offseason started with real promise-the Naylor signing was a strong opening move. But since then, it’s felt like one setback after another. Bichette’s deal with the Mets is just the latest gut punch in what’s becoming a frustrating winter for a team that feels one piece away.
For now, Mariners fans are left with the same question they’ve been asking for weeks: What’s the next move-and will it be enough?