SF Giants rumors remind NY Mets fans how it could be worse than Bo Bichette

Bo Bichette has found the light at the end of the tunnel, posting a .338/.346/.554 batting line through the first three weeks of June. His turnaround with the New York Mets has been so definitive that most now expect him to opt-out of the final two years of his deal in search of a longer-term commitment in free agency.

Still, a hot stretch spanning a few weeks doesn't undo the damage caused by a catastrophic few months. Bichette's .658 OPS and 85 wRC+ are the second-lowest marks of his career and the second time in three years that he's fallen below league-average production. For a player making an absurd $42 million per year on his current deal, he hasn't given the Mets anywhere close to their money's worth in 2026.

Of course, struggles are relative, and Bichette is far from the only well-compensated star weighing down his team's payroll. In fact, a former free-agent target of the front office, Willy Adames, is putting together an even more disastrous season in San Francisco.

Bo Bichette gives Mets every reason to avoid Willy Adames mistake at 2026 trade deadline

During the 2024-25 offseason -- David Stearns' second with the Mets -- the team pursued Adames aggressively in free agency. The idea was that he'd move off shortstop to play third base next to Francisco Lindor. It'd be a high-profile left side of the infield, one designed to produce star-caliber results on both sides of the ball.

Of course, Stearns' familiarity with Adames from their days in Milwaukee wound up not winning him over, as he inked a seven-year, $182 million deal with the Giants to play shortstop adjacent to third baseman Matt Chapman. That contract has proven to be a mistake, as San Francisco is 31-46 this year and Adames has been worth -0.3 fWAR.

Things have gotten so bad out by the Bay Area that the Giants are reportedly willing to listen to trade offers for all of their high-priced, veterans, including Chapman and Adames. Subsequently, every Mets fan's favorite analyst (Buster Olney) suggested that Stearns should go back to the well and swap Marcus Semien for the latter.

Of course, you don't need me to tell you why that trade is an awful concept. Bichette's salary and poor play is already dragging the team down at third base; adding another expensive infielder (who has five years left on his deal) with an OPS below .700 isn't going to magically fix what ails this roster.

Whether or not Bichette opts out of his deal by the end of the year, the Mets have (hopefully) had their fill of overpriced veterans. Just be thankful Adames signed elsewhere and move on.

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