Toronto may be thought of the New York Metropolis of Canada, however Bo Bichette is underneath no pretenses that enjoying for the Blue Jays is akin to enjoying for one of many baseball groups within the Massive Apple.
“I don’t think anything can prepare you for New York,” Bichette mentioned.
He’s not flawed. Toronto may be the middle of the universe in Canada, however baseball not often upstages hockey up north, and that’s very true in what isn’t solely the nation’s largest metropolis, however the largest metropolitan space as effectively. Bichette may seek the advice of Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews for recommendation on the best way to deal with the stress of enjoying in a metropolis that seemingly orbits round its workforce, however even that’s not the identical.
The 27-year-old Bichette is undaunted.
“I said earlier to someone else, I said, ‘You know, I’m not unaware that New York is a challenge, but I’m not shying away from it,’” Bichette mentioned. “I’m ready for it, and I’m excited for it. These fans hold you accountable and I think, as a player, wanting to be your best self, that’s only a positive.”
The Mets launched their new third baseman in a proper press convention Wednesday afternoon at Citi Discipline. This was the simple half — placing on a brand new uniform and speaking about why he selected to signal a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets. Now comes the arduous half: Shifting to 3rd base, a place he hasn’t performed since his journey ball days in St. Petersburg, Fla.
A profession shortstop, Bichette performed second base throughout the World Sequence just a few months in the past, a place he had performed within the minor leagues solely a handful of occasions. But within the largest sequence of his profession and on the sport’s largest stage, he not solely took on the problem, however he excelled at it. After that have, it turned much less about enjoying a sure place and extra in regards to the match when contemplating the place to play subsequent.
Bichette, who by all accounts is a particularly diligent and devoted employee, simply desires to assist a workforce get again to the highest of the mountain, even when meaning enjoying a brand new place.
“I think all my ego about shortstop was thrown out the window in the World Series — I just wanted to win,” Bichette mentioned. “That’s why I did it, and the same applies here.”
The match with the Mets may not have been apparent instantly, but it surely turned obvious as soon as the 2 events began talking.
Offensively, Bichette blends energy, velocity and the flexibility to hit with runners in scoring place. With out Pete Alonso’ massive right-handed bat, the Mets have been going to must depend on switch-hitting Jorge Polanco to guard Juan Soto within the order. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has downplayed the necessity for one particular hitter to play behind Soto throughout the offseason, saying the size of the order issues extra than simply two hitters within the 3-4 spots. Whereas that’s not precisely unfaithful, the Mets’ struggles to hit with runners on base final season turned an issue.
It’s an issue that may very well be solved by Bichette, who has a profession common of .330 with runners in scoring place and an OPS of .904. Final season, he had the fourth-best common in baseball with runners on base (.329), the third-best OPS with runners in scoring place (1.053), and hit .306 with a .966 OPS, 5 dwelling runs and 35 RBI with runners in scoring place and two outs.
“He’s one of the most complete right-handed hitters in the sport,” Stearns mentioned. “He has incredible knowledge of the game — an incredible aptitude. Anyone who has watched him for a long time sees that very, very clearly. And he intensely wants to win.”
He not solely had the kind of bat the Mets wanted, but additionally the character the membership desired. They requested him if he could be keen to play third base. Francisco Lindor has shortstop locked up, and the membership acquired Marcus Semien, a former teammate and buddy of Bichette’s in Toronto, to play second base, in December. Bichette agreed to maneuver, and the Mets put a plan in place.
Brett Baty, who already performs second and third base, will begin engaged on reps in left subject and at first base. Luisangel Acuña turned the odd infielder out and was traded to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night time for heart fielder Luis Robert Jr. Polanco, one other center infielder, will transfer to first base, with Mark Vientos backing him up and getting loads of time because the DH.
Your complete theme of the offseason has been “run prevention,” and someway the Mets have ended up bringing in two gamers to play new positions and an infield alignment with 4 pure shortstops. It’s odd, sure, however Stearns thinks it will likely be a “tremendous advantage.”
“We’re probably going to make a mistake or two,” Stearns mentioned. “But we’re also going to have elite range around the infield.”
Bichette desires to be the most effective with the intention to beat the most effective. He got here shut sufficient in October that he is aware of what it takes, and sees a chance to do this with the Mets.
“To be a part of a team with some really great players, I think it can only make me better,” he mentioned.
