Free agent NY Mets had no interest signing gets the rave reviews Bo Bichette hopes to

For what feels like a variety of reasons, the New York Mets never ended up as main contenders in the sweepstakes for Kazuma Okamoto. There was never a hint of a rumor or suggestion they actually had intentions of signing the Japanese star this offseason. His 4-year, $60 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays might’ve been a little too out-of-line for what the Mets desired. Their avoidance of contracts of more than three years could have been the breaking point.

Okamoto goes to the Blue Jays to become their starter third baseman. He’s already receiving rave reviews for his soft hands.

Defense was one of the key features that got the Blue Jays to the 2025 World Series. Okamoto, as a corner infielder who won two Gold Gloves previously in Japan, seems to be getting the complete opposite attention of Bo Bichette whose off-target yet non-errant throw on Saturday had critics out in full-force.

Every non-Mets fan is ready to see Bo Bichette fail at third base

Hyperbolic much? You answer that for yourself. Talkin’ Baseball had this to say about Bichette’s throw to a 5’10 first baseman.

A day earlier, they were ready to praise Nick Castellanos for his diving stop at first base.

Reading through the comments, fans were eager to point out some common themes including how many first basemen would have had the range to make that play standing out or how that should’ve just been the second baseman’s ball altogether. His throw didn’t have the Olympic committee calling either.

Bichette’s defense is going to be a constant this year. What we’ll never know is if those same conversations take place if a team added him to play shortstop where he has cleared the air about ever being a good defender. Did everyone think he needed to be a second baseman instead? It feels like this is a LOLMets thing.

Jayson Stark’s early acknowledgment of Okamoto’s soft hands haven’t translated into any success just yet and for as good of a defender as he may be, the offensive transition to MLB is what could lead to Bichette still having a better year. Players in Japan don’t see the same high velocity on a frequent basis as hitters do in MLB. That unknown transition is why the Mets never seemed to actually pursue Munetaka Murakami and why pitcher Tatsuya Imai wasn’t a priority either. Okamoto probably wasn't a true consideration for third base anyway with Brett Baty penciled in at that time. He's not the type of player you move Baty off of third base for. Bichette is.

The Okamoto compliment can stretch beyond Bichette and over toward Jorge Polanco. It’s not quite as controversial moving a poor defensive second baseman over there. The Polanco dismay comes from fans who wish the club kept Pete Alonso. Polanco will still get overexamined by those eager to see the Mets fail at every literal corner.