Bo Bichette prioritizing the NY Mets over the WBC is very Brandon Nimmo of him

Bo Bichette won’t be playing in this year’s WBC. If you’re not a big fan of the tournament, you’re probably elated. The last thing any fanbase wants to see is a star player go down with an injury. New York Mets fans remain scarred from seeing Edwin Diaz suffer a season-ending injury in 2023.

Bichette’s decision to forgo an appearance in the WBC is very Brandon Nimmo of him. Nimmo previously appeared in the 2017 WBC representing Team Italy. This was a year before he became a mainstay in the Mets lineup. He wouldn’t participate again.

In 2023, Nimmo made the decision to approach spring training differently. He continued to focus on the Mets instead of other things, like the WBC. This meant fewer games for Nimmo in spring training but also a much healthier and productive version.

Bo Bichette read the room right by skipping the WBC

Bichette missed some time due to injury last year, including the first few rounds of the playoffs. He would return for the World Series where the Toronto Blue Jays used him at second base for the first time in his career. Bichette has a new challenge ahead of him. He has to learn third base.

Staying healthy may be a part of Bichette’s goal. He missed 81 games in 2024 and fell shy of 140 in 2023 and 2025. Perfecting third base as much as he can, and proving doubters wrong, is added motivation to leave Team Brazil high and dry this time around.

It should turn out to be the right choice. For Nimmo, it worked out incredibly well. He played in 150+ games from 2022-2025. The performance varied. This was more a result of him evolving as a hitter.

Third base may be regarded as the weaker defensive position than shortstop, but it comes with its own unique challenges. Bichette isn’t used to defending a bunt down the line. If a ball rolled past him at shortstop, it was probably a single. Now he’s risking a double if a ball squirts by. Throwing is different, too. Some will argue it’s easier at one position than the other. It’s different and that’s what makes it a hurdle to jump over.

What’ll really benefit the Mets is if this way of thinking becomes contagious. Last year, Clay Holmes was notably present in St. Lucie early in preparation of transitioning from a reliever to starter. Nobody should be lambasted for showing up when required. We should, however, tip our caps to anyone who comes in early.

Bichette is off to a strong start. He can say he wanted to be a Met all day long. Actions like this show how seriously he’s taking the job. Like him or not, it’s the one thing Nimmo always did.