One more move can save Mets' winter after landing Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Gabe Lacques, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 11:25 PM 1 Bo Bichette encountered the New York skyline for the first time knowing this wasn't just a stopover — it was now his professional home, for 2026 and maybe the next three years. And while Bichette is a pretty worldly dude — his mother is Brazilian, his father played a dozen years in the big leagues and he spent his first six seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays — he admitted a new sensation upon this descent. "When I landed," Bichette told reporters on Jan.
- - One more move can save Mets' winter after landing Bo Bichette, Luis Robert
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 11:25 PM
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Bo Bichette encountered the New York skyline for the first time knowing this wasn't just a stopover — it was now his professional home, for 2026 and maybe the next three years.
And while Bichette is a pretty worldly dude — his mother is Brazilian, his father played a dozen years in the big leagues and he spent his first six seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays — he admitted a new sensation upon this descent.
"When I landed," Bichette told reporters on Jan. 21, "I looked around and saw the city and it hit a little bit different than it does when you come as a road player. As a road player, you try to ignore all of it.
"When I landed, I kind of soaked it in and realized, 'This is something. This is massive.' It's pretty cool."
The New York Mets think Bichette joining their rotating cadre of superstars is pretty cool, too.
The club introduced Bichette, signed to a three-year, $126 million contract, to the New York media one day after they solved an outfield problem by acquiring center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox. In just five days, they created a nightmare 1-2-3 atop the lineup with Bichette following Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, while edging toward the elite defensive alignment club president David Stearns sought in sticking Robert in the middle of the outfield.
Now, an 83-win disappointment won't be followed by a desultory and failed winter. Now, the Mets look an awful lot like the Steve Cohen Mets again.
"Mr. Cohen and David," says Bichette, "have put together an organization that wants to win every year, a chance to win the World Series every year. And a roster that backs that up."
Almost.
While integrating Bichette's 181 hits, 14.5% strikeout rate and career .330 batting average with runners in scoring position, there's just one major hole in the roster — and Stearns knows it.
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oXJIeVL class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
">$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
" src=https://ift.tt/oXJIeVL class=caas-img>$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/z7mGJtM class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
">$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/z7mGJtM class=caas-img>$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ExZlKvc class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
">$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
" src=https://ift.tt/ExZlKvc class=caas-img>$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Pb0ZcUk class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
">$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
" src=https://ift.tt/Pb0ZcUk class=caas-img>$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pzFStKq class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
">$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
" src=https://ift.tt/pzFStKq class=caas-img>$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RB8oHxa class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
">$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
" src=https://ift.tt/RB8oHxa class=caas-img>$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZN96gpS class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
">$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/ZN96gpS class=caas-img>$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lEd9kCR class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
">$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
" src=https://ift.tt/lEd9kCR class=caas-img>$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OI1nPc8 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
">$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
" src=https://ift.tt/OI1nPc8 class=caas-img>$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4wG1xBe class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
">$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
" src=https://ift.tt/4wG1xBe class=caas-img>$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1BmJpvs class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
">$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
" src=https://ift.tt/1BmJpvs class=caas-img>$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ey7lnik class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
">$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
" src=https://ift.tt/Ey7lnik class=caas-img>$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oZXWV3k class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
">$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
" src=https://ift.tt/oZXWV3k class=caas-img>$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
" data-src=https://ift.tt/k0v3q8u class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
">$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
" src=https://ift.tt/k0v3q8u class=caas-img>$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7cpWJjK class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
">$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/7cpWJjK class=caas-img>$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RJOZMIB class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
">$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
" src=https://ift.tt/RJOZMIB class=caas-img>$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HzB10SD class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
">$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
" src=https://ift.tt/HzB10SD class=caas-img>$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/u5zUhqT class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
">$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/u5zUhqT class=caas-img>$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xh0MbnC class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
">$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
" src=https://ift.tt/xh0MbnC class=caas-img>$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3lrp9uf class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
">$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
" src=https://ift.tt/3lrp9uf class=caas-img>$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/etAr9CJ class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
">$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
" src=https://ift.tt/etAr9CJ class=caas-img>$245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XdmxTlH class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)
">$245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)
" src=https://ift.tt/XdmxTlH class=caas-img>$245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZUDByER class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)
">$245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)
" src=https://ift.tt/ZUDByER class=caas-img>$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1ucDJq7 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
">$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
" src=https://ift.tt/1ucDJq7 class=caas-img>$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4EQbr3s class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
">$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/4EQbr3s class=caas-img>$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
" data-src=https://ift.tt/cfYB2jX class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
">$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
" src=https://ift.tt/cfYB2jX class=caas-img>$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/K4y6uBY class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
">$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/K4y6uBY class=caas-img>
$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DTao5kX class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
">$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
" src=https://ift.tt/DTao5kX class=caas-img>$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/153YduD class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
">$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
" src=https://ift.tt/153YduD class=caas-img>$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0RrlYDf class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
">$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
" src=https://ift.tt/0RrlYDf class=caas-img>$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3Xd5Mwu class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
">$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
" src=https://ift.tt/3Xd5Mwu class=caas-img>$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gN6oCRE class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
">$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
" src=https://ift.tt/gN6oCRE class=caas-img>$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9Vmdz3Z class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
">$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
" src=https://ift.tt/9Vmdz3Z class=caas-img>$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZB1vhEF class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
">$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/ZB1vhEF class=caas-img>$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vnyo24H class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
">$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
" src=https://ift.tt/vnyo24H class=caas-img>$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
" data-src=https://ift.tt/me3CXWS class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
">$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
" src=https://ift.tt/me3CXWS class=caas-img>
$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
" data-src=https://ift.tt/n4ImvJy class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
">$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
" src=https://ift.tt/n4ImvJy class=caas-img>
1 / 39MLB's $200+ million contracts
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
Mets' next target: Starting pitcher
The marriage of hedge fund kingpin Cohen and Stearns, who made his bones running an efficient shop in Milwaukee, has been largely successful. Stearns got out of the way when Cohen wanted to lavish $765 million on Juan Soto, while Cohen has abided by Stearns' desire to avoid big-dollar commitments to starting pitchers.
Yeah, about that.
The Mets are coming up on the opening of spring camp with a rotation pocked with youngsters (Nolan McLean, perhaps Jonah Tong) and a gaggle of whose ability to deliver significant innings might be in some question (Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, David Peterson).
The cherry on top of what's already expected to be a $500 million outlay for salary and luxury taxes? A serviceable, if not dominant, starting pitcher.
Stearns knows this. And expects to fulfill it.
"My preference is to add a starting pitcher," Stearns told SNY following Bichette's press conference. "I've been open and honest about that through the entirety of the offseason.
"I can't say with certainty we'll be able to do that, but we remain engaged on a number of different fronts in that market. We've still got plenty of time to go in the offseason, plenty of time before Opening Day, so we'll see where it heads."
This is a pretty rosy statement if you're a Mets fan. Fishing in multiple markets is an interesting concept, which suggests the Mets would be engaged in the short-term veteran pool (such as reuniting with Chris Bassitt, Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer) yet perhaps keeping an eye on if bigger prizes fall to them (Framber Valdez, most notably, and to a lesser degree Zac Gallen).
Perhaps that means a medium-term commitment to a Lucas Giolito type, or a swingman situation with a Zack Littell or Nick Martinez. The Mets could also try to trade for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta or Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, but in dealing for those reasonably priced arms, the Mets lose their biggest advantage: Financial might. Either way, Stearns is on it, and a medium to major addition would make the entire Mets starting group look much better.
Chemistry test
Something went foul in the Mets' mix at the end of last season, when their four-month freefall coalesced in a final-day elimination. Not that there weren't logistical reasons to change the team's complexion, most notably by shipping out Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, and moving on from Pete Alonso.
Yet if it's impossible to measure what the Mets gain through subtraction, they can be sure the infield additions of Bichette and Marcus Semien are significant.
Those dudes are dawgs.
"One of the most competitive right-handed hitters in our sport," Stearns says of Bichette. "Incredible baseball aptitude. Anyone who's watched him sees that very, very clearly.
"He intensely wants to win. Throughout that (negotiating) process it's that intense desire to win that came through loud and clear."
For his part, Bichette is thrilled to reunite with Semien, who spent one year as Bichette's double-play partner in Toronto, hit 45 home runs and moved on to a $175 million contract — and a 2023 World Series championship — in Texas.
"I have a special relationship with him," says Bichette, who was 23 and in his first full major league season in 2021. "That was someone who taught me the ropes, showed me how to be a professional, someone who I respect a ton. It definitely adds to the excitement to get to play with him again."
Better yet, the Mets' Louis Vuitton lineup ensures that Semien, now 35, can lurk in its bottom third, not a bad piece of real estate for a guy whose adjusted OPS fell below league average last year, but still produced 3.3 WAR.
Bo Bichette poses for a photo during an introductory press conference after signing a contract with the New York Mets at Citi Field on Jan. 21, 2026.A winter less nuclear
To be certain, this was not a happily-ever-after kind of day in Queens.
Bichette has opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons of this deal and, since he doesn't turn 28 until March, will be in prime position to cash in even more significantly next winter. Robert is a free agent after this season.
And perhaps the pitcher Stearns ultimately lands will be on a one-year deal, too.
That's OK. Cohen plays this market like a craps player spreads his chips around the board, seeing some vanish and re-loading for the next roll. Just a week ago, it looked like Cohen and Stearns crapped out.
Now they have Bichette and Robert in hand, a pitcher on the way and a winter narrative, shifted.
Now, they have a chance.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bo Bichette introduced by Mets: day after Luis Robert Jr. trade
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: January 21, 2026 at 11:27PM on Source: OPERA MAG
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