Mets $126 million deal for Bo Bichette called 'panic move' from ex-Phillies GM

Matt Sullivan

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Mets $126 million deal for Bo Bichette called 'panic move' from ex-Phillies GM image

The New York Mets had a tumultuous 24 hours at the end of last week, as they lost out on Kyle Tucker as he agreed to a wild $240 million, four-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But the Mets quickly responded with a huge $126 million deal with Bo Bichette, swiping him from the Philadelphia Phillies, who had been strongly linked to him in recent days.

In the wake of this move, former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr., on The Phillies Show podcast, called the Bichette decision from the Mets a "panic move" and that it was an unreasonable deal to offer the former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop.

Mets deal for Bichette was 'panic move' per ex-Phillies GM

"The Mets did what they did," Amaro Jr. Said, "when they panicked-moved, and went to that offer, which was really significantly different than the Phillies' offer. You can't blame the guy for making a change."

Amaro Jr. Further added on, saying that the Mets' spending so much on Bichette, with the luxury tax penalty increasing Bichette's contract to nearly $100 million in 2026, was a "panic sign."

The Mets spent a lot on Bichette, and while Amaro Jr. Is likely a tad salty that his former team couldn't sign Bichette, calling this a panic move is a bit too far.

Bichette is a big help for the Mets' offense, and while it's a lot of money, and Bichette can opt out after one year, or stay on and hurt the Mets' books if he struggles, it's a move well-worth it for the Mets.

More: Kyle Tucker contract details: How much deferred money did Dodgers give new star?

With the arms race in the NL thanks to the Dodgers, adding someone like Bichette, who's a young hitter who can be a postseason hero, doesn't come around often.

There was a reason the Phillies were willing to shake up their entire roster to fit Bichette on their books. The former Blue Jays star is a great addition, and any team with money to spend and a roster spot would love to have him.

While it might seem like a panic move when looking at the Mets missing out on Tucker, this addition from David Stearns and Steve Cohen is not a panic move, but a great pivot to the best available batter on the market.

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Contributing Writer