The Philadelphia Phillies’ failure to land Bo Bichette has left fans questioning how a team once viewed as the frontrunner walked away empty-handed. After an in-person meeting earlier in the week, expectations were high that the Phillies would secure the star infielder. Instead, Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets, despite reports that Philadelphia was willing to offer $200 million over seven years.
Coming into the offseason, the Phillies were not expected to be aggressive spenders. Their primary objective was retaining Kyle Schwarber, which they accomplished. That made their pursuit of Bichette somewhat unexpected, especially given the organization’s well-known financial constraints.
Those self-imposed limits once again proved costly. Not only did they prevent the Phillies from adding a major offensive upgrade, but they also allowed a division rival to swoop in and sign one of the top players on the market.
Why the Phillies Fell Short in the Bichette Sweepstakes
One major factor was the team’s refusal to include opt-out clauses in free-agent contracts. Bichette’s deal with the Mets allows him to opt out after both the first and second seasons. Philadelphia, however, has a long-standing policy against offering such flexibility. That stance may have been a deal-breaker for a player who favored a shorter-term arrangement, making the Phillies an unrealistic destination from the start.
Another obstacle was the organization’s reluctance to significantly exceed the luxury tax threshold. Bichette’s Mets contract pays him $42 million annually. Currently, Zack Wheeler is the only Phillie earning $40 million or more per year, while Schwarber sits at $30 million annually under his new deal.
Team leadership, including Dave Dombrowski and John Middleton, has been clear about not wanting to push far beyond the final luxury tax line of $304 million. Signing Bichette to a short-term, high-AAV contract would have shattered that ceiling. As a result, Bichette will now earn far more annually with the Mets than he would have under the Phillies’ reported long-term offer, leaving Philadelphia to reflect on how caution cost them a marquee signing.
Leave a Reply