When describing Bo Bichette’s 2026 season it can be said that we’ve seen the best of times, and we’ve seen the worst of times. He got off to a horrific start but has since turned things around making Bo Bichette’s trade deadline status up in the air. The Mets will certainly be sellers at the MLB trade deadline. The question is, how will Bichette’s recent offensive surge and the complications surrounding his large contract, which includes a potential opt out at the end of the season, affect the Mets’ upcoming trade activity.
How Bad the Start Actually Was
Bo Bichette was one of the fantasy baseball “fallers” I referenced in this piece I wrote for Athlon earlier in the season. He compiled a .213 BA, a .570 OPS (OPB + SLG) and a 62 wRC+ in his first 61 games. Average wRC+ is 100 and the average OPS so far this season is .721. Even though many of his expected stats were much better than his surface level stats, a drop in his sprint speed and a career low .257 wOBA in those first 61 games made his slow start even more concerning. As a free agent who signed a huge contract with the Mets, Bichette was considered one of the biggest early season busts of the 2026 season.
The Turnaround Is Real
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In the article previously referenced, I urged fantasy baseball managers rostering Bichette to be patient and suggested that he was a good buy low candidate. I am grateful to Bichette for making me look like I know what I’m talking about.
Since he appeared to hit rock bottom back on June 2, Bichette has been tearing the cover off the ball. In his next 31 games Bichette batted .346, compiled a .911 OPS and a 149 wRC+. His wOBA has been a whopping .389 in those games and his line drive rate, (a line drive is a batted ball known for having the highest rate of success) jumped from 16.8% in his first 61 games to 26.5% in his next 31 games.
The Trade Debate, Honestly Assessed
Several MLB teams are reportedly interested in trading for Bichette and from an offensive standpoint, why wouldn’t they be? Except for an injury abbreviated 2024 season, he’s been one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball.
He has a career .290 BA and .792 OPS. Much of his slow start to the season could probably be explained away by his having to adjust to being a Met after spending the first 10 years of his professional career with the Blue Jays. His defense has always been suspect, but he was a career shortstop before signing with the Mets and had to learn to play third base, and let’s face it, they don’t call it the “hot corner” for no reason!
Trading Bichette won’t be easy for the Mets as cited in a recent article by The Athletic. The article points out that Bichette’s huge contract, 2027 and 2028 player options, and MLB’s potential 2027 work stoppage add to the complexities in moving him before this season’s trade deadline.
The Fantasy Baseball Impact
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Based on his pedigree, in season bounce back, and newfound multi-position eligibility (shortstop and third base) Bichette is definitely a fantasy baseball player that can add value to your fantasy baseball roster.
However, as is often the case, Bichette was never as bad as reflected in his early season slump and shouldn’t be expected to continue to post an OPS over .900 for the rest of the season.
Major projection models seem to fairly predict that Bichette’s rest of season batting average will be in the .276 to .287 range, that he’ll have an OPS of just above .750, and that he’ll hit between seven and nine more home runs. Those rest of season stats are very fantasy baseball friendly.
If you do plan on trading for Bichette in your fantasy baseball leagues, know that his trade value is at its highest of the season. He was recently packaged with Paul Skenes in a trade in a yahoo! fantasy baseball league for Kyle Schwarber and George Kirby. Another package deal had Bichette and Cam Schlittler being traded for Bobby Witt Jr. Still another trade had Bichette and Brandon Lowe being traded for Julio Rodriguez.
Bichette: Buy, Sell or Hold
If you’re a fantasy baseball manager who suffered through his first awful 61 games of the 2026 season, hold onto him and enjoy the fruits of his resurgence. If you just lost Konnor Griffin or drafted Corey Seager, expecting him to be your fantasy baseball shortstop, you should attempt to acquire Bichette via a trade. If you benched Bichette while he was slumping and have enough depth at the shortstop and third base positions, sell him now! Whichever category you fall into, be aware that his resurgence is not merely a hot streak. It’s who Bichette has been all along!
Questions About Bo Bichette, Answered
Is Bo Bichette's hot streak with the Mets real?
Yes. After a dreadful start through his first 61 games, Bichette has produced a .346 batting average, .911 OPS, and 149 wRC+ over his next 31 games. His improved line-drive rate and strong overall production support that his turnaround has been substantial rather than a brief spike in performance.
Will the Mets trade Bo Bichette at the deadline?
The possibility remains under discussion, but moving him will not be simple. His contract includes 2027 and 2028 player options, and the potential 2027 MLB work stoppage adds further complications, making any trade decision more complex despite reported interest from multiple teams.
Is Bo Bichette expected to opt out of his Mets contract?
The body notes that Bichette's contract includes a potential opt out at the end of the season. That possibility is one of the factors that could influence both the Mets' trade considerations and how other clubs evaluate his value before the deadline.
Is Bo Bichette a good fantasy baseball option right now?
Yes. His rebound, multi-position eligibility at shortstop and third base, and favorable rest-of-season projections make him a valuable fantasy option. Managers should recognize that his trade value is currently very high while also expecting production to settle closer to his projected rest-of-season numbers.
