Looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season, the New York Mets have signed Bo Bichette, one ofthe top free agents this winter. Despite attracting plenty of interest from several top clubs, the infielder ultimately signed a three-year, $126 million contract to take his talents to Queens.
Bichette is set to join forces at Citi Field with superstars Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, forming a formidable top-of-the-order trio.
Appearing in a video uploaded to the SNY YouTube channel on Tuesday, insider John Harper opined that Bichette is the perfect hitter to bat behind Lindor and Soto because of his remarkable record of coming up clutch with runners in scoring position.
“My issue is, you have Soto, now who’s protecting him? Who else in that lineup scares pitchers besides Bo Bichette? So that’s why I would (put Bichette behind Soto). Bichette, his numbers are phenomenal. I know I’m on this ‘runners in scoring position’ kick, but I went through it, he’s got a .330 lifetime average with runners in scoring position, which is nuts,” Harper said (0:50).
“I went through it year by year, only one year out of six full-time years where he’s had less than .340 average with runners in scoring positions. You figure Lindor and Soto are going to be on base a lot. He’s their guy. Unless something goes wrong, he’s done it so many years now, that there’s no fluke about how clutch he is,” he added.
Mets Skipper Gives Early Verdict On Bo Bichette’s Potential At Third Base
Offensively, right-handed Bo Bichette looks to be the perfect player to hit behind lefties Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. From a defensive standpoint, however, Bichette will have to get used to a new role.
Having primarily played as a shortstop for the Blue Jays, Bichette will now play at the hot corner, given that the Mets have Lindor penciled in at shortstop. Naturally, fans have been slightly concerned about how seamless the transition will be.
Appearing on Monday’s episode of “The Show,” Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza offered his opinion on Bo Bichette’s potential at third base, based on what he’s seen in workouts so far.
“We’re recording this in the afternoon, and I spent this morning with Bo, watching him take ground balls at third base. They (signs) were encouraging. He’s an athlete, man. We’re looking at a guy that has played shortstop pretty much his whole career, right?” Mendoza said (22:13).
“Watching him today, moving around third base, taking ground balls, creating angles, and then his throws to first base. I was just telling him, it looks like he’s played here before. So, it was exciting that I had that opportunity today. He’s super excited, working really hard. Like I said, he’s an athlete, I think it’s just a matter of getting game reps,” he added.
Bo Bichette is coming off an impressive 2025 campaign, as he batted .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs, helping the Toronto Blue Jays win the AL East for the first time since 2015. Mets fans will hope to see more of the same from the infielder in 2026.
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