The benefits of the Mets’ Bo Bichette signing are twofold.
Not only are they adding a two-time All-Star to their lineup, but the Amazin’s seemingly stole him right from under the hands of a bitter division rival.
All offseason, the Phillies were seen as one of the favorites — if not the favorite — to land Bichette in free agency.
Earlier this month, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported that it “feels like there’s strong mutual interest” between the Phillies and Bichette as the two sides met to discuss a potential deal.
As recently as late Thursday night, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the “Phillies are the overwhelming favorites to sign” Bichette, adding that the “Yankees and Mets will now be in a bidding war for outfielder Cody Bellinger.”
Less than 12 hours later, the Mets proved otherwise, landing Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal with opt-outs after the first two years.
Philadelphia was reportedly caught off guard by the shock signing.
“The Phillies had agreed to Bo Bichette’s request for a 7-year, $200 million deal last night and believed they would sign him until the Mets swooped in with their 3-year, $126 million offer after losing out in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes,” Nightengale wrote on X after news of the deal broke on Friday.
After missing out on Bichette, the Phillies quickly pivoted, re-signing catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract.
The Bichette deal came after the Mets were swooped in on themselves, losing out to the Dodgers on Kyle Tucker, who signed a four-year, $240 million pact on Thursday night.
The Mets offered a four-year deal worth $220 million, which included no deferrals and was worth $60 million for each of the first two seasons and $50 million for the final two on the table for Tucker, per Heyman.
