Re-grading all 6 MLB free agent deals the NY Mets signed this offseason

How do these deals feel with spring training now underway?
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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The major turnover for the New York Mets roster this offseason, surprisingly, included only six major league contracts added to the books. Excluded is the deal for Richard Lovelady which is now void with him getting claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.

The Mets had a more active offseason with trades, pulling off the three most significant ones in years. We can discuss those another day.

Today, it’s about free agent deals. We’re going to re-grade them one last time.

Bo Bichette:  A-

The biggest paycheck handed out this offseason went to Bo Bichette. A massive three-year deal worth $126 million with a big asterisk is what he got from the Mets. It’ll pay him $42 million this year with a $5 million payday if he opts out after the 2026 season. Structure aside, it’s basically a one-year deal worth $47 million.

This deal deserves an A-. 

In the wake of losing Kyle Tucker to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bichette was the only hitter who made any sense to pursue. Not exactly the perfect fit with third base as his new position, the fallout for the rest of the roster is gigantic. Brett Baty moves into more of a true utility role, slated to see some time in right field now and maybe first base. Mark Vientos’ playing time reduces a lot. He’ll be the greatest sufferer of all with Bichette present this year.

The good thing with Bichette is the Mets got a guy who can hit for power and average. It was a trade-off from Pete Alonso, the bat he is essentially replacing. In exchange for about 40 points in batting average, the Mets sacrificed around 25 home runs.

Fans can argue forever if the shortness to the deal is bad or not. It’s never a bad thing to have an escape pod ready.

There weren’t too many other places for the Mets to go after losing out on Tucker. Bichette was about it and they got the job done. The only reason this isn’t a better grade is because we still have to see him actually play third base competently. The easy solution, of course, is to make him the primary DH.

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