Following a meeting earlier this week, the Philadelphia Phillies appeared to be the favorites to sign the infielder, but fans are left wondering why they lost out to the New York Mets in the Bo Bichette sweepstakes. After the Phillies allegedly promised to pay $200 million over seven years, the Mets and Bichette reached a three-year, $126 million deal.
It was anticipated that the Phillies would not make many moves this winter. Re-signing Kyle Schwarber was their top priority, and they succeeded. Given their alleged lack of financial flexibility, it was unexpected that they were interested in Bichette.
Unsurprisingly, the Phillies’ self-imposed restrictions have prevented them from signing some elite free agents in recent offseasons, most recently Bichette. They lost out to their division competitors in addition to losing out on a fantastic chance to improve the offense.
How the Phillies sabotaged their chances of signing Bo Bichette
Not including opt-outs in contracts
Player opt-outs following the first and second seasons are part of Bichette’s contract with the Mets. According to Phillies Tailgate on X, the Phillies do not include opt-outs in their contracts with free agents.
In retrospect, this tactic has probably made it more difficult for them to sign certain elite free agents. Philadelphia wouldn’t have signed Bichette if he had wanted a short-term contract because they couldn’t afford him.
Their discomfort going too far over the luxury tax threshold
Over the course of his contract with the Mets, Bichette will make $42 million each season. Zack Wheeler, who signed a three-year, $126 million agreement that started last year, is the only player on the Phillies roster with an AAV of $40 million or more.
After signing a new contract this summer, Kyle Schwarber’s $30 million AAV is the next highest.
Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Phillies, and John Middleton, managing partner, have stated that they are unlikely to go far beyond the $304 million fourth and final luxury tax level. If they had signed Bichette to a short-term contract, they would have blown past that.
Compared to the approximately $28.5 million he would have received had he accepted the alleged long-term contract with the Phillies, the new Mets infielder will make significantly more in 2026.
