If the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans can find any solace during a rough start to the 2026 MLB season, it is this: at least they are not Bo Bichette. The former Blue Jays star, now with the New York Mets, has endured a nightmare beginning to his tenure in Queens.
It is difficult to feel sorry for someone earning $42 million US this year after signing a three-year, $126-million contract in the off-season. However, no one could have predicted such a disastrous start for the Mets.
Emotional Scene in the Dugout
After the Mets lost both games of a doubleheader to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, cameras captured the two-time All-Star sitting alone in the Citi Field dugout, appearing on the verge of tears. Bichette went 2-for-11 in the three-game series, which saw the Mets swept by a team that lost 119 games last season.
Bichette sat on the bench, staring out onto the field before a teammate eventually joined him for a conversation. With the two losses, the Mets' record fell to 9-19, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the worst in baseball. The team has won only two of its last 17 games, including a horrific 12-game losing streak from April 8 to 21.
High Expectations, Poor Results
The Mets' struggles are far from what was expected for a team with a payroll exceeding $368 million, the second highest in MLB this year. According to the Associated Press, many fans in the announced crowd of 38,155 left after the Rockies took a 3-0 lead in the third inning of the second game.
Before the series, Bichette had spoken about using the Rockies as a reset to get the team back on track. “We definitely need to reset,” he said. “You cannot put too much pressure on yourself. It will take a full team effort, but I definitely know that I need to play better to help this team start winning some games.”
Bichette's Performance So Far
Bichette was one of the biggest free-agent signings of the offseason, leaving the American League champion Blue Jays after seven seasons for the Mets' lucrative offer. However, he has not been the impact bat the Mets hoped for. Through 28 games, he is batting .233, well below his career average of .292 and last year's .311. He has hit just one home run and driven in 12 runs.
Earlier this season, Bichette was heavily booed at Citi Field after striking out to end the seventh inning with runners on second and third in a tied game. It was his eighth strikeout in the first three games. Bichette addressed the jeers, admitting his at-bats were “terrible.” “If anything, I thought it took too long,” he told reporters. “I get it. I thought my at-bats were terrible, too.”
Contract and Future Options
Bichette's three-year contract includes player options after each season. If the Mets fail to rebound and miss the playoffs, Bichette could consider opting out and returning to free agency. While his struggles at the plate might reduce his market value, if he values winning over money, it could be a move he considers. This question will persist as long as the team's struggles continue.
