Bichette 'enjoying the new challenge' of learning third base for Mets

The former shortstop is transitioning to third base in his first season with the Mets.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 3:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Bo Bichette made his debut at third base for the New York Mets in their Grapefruit League opener against the Miami Marlins. Bichette, who signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets this offseason, is making the transition from shortstop to third base to accommodate Francisco Lindor at shortstop and the acquisition of Marcus Semien at second base. While Bichette went 0-for-2 at the plate, he handled a couple of plays at the hot corner, including a difficult ground ball behind the bag. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said it's all part of the process of Bichette finding his bearings at the new position.

Why it matters

Bichette's move to third base is a significant shift for the former All-Star shortstop, as he looks to adapt to a new position and help the Mets build a championship-caliber infield. The Mets are counting on Bichette's defensive versatility and offensive production to bolster their lineup and make a deep playoff run.

The details

Bichette made his debut at third base on Saturday, handling a popup in the second inning and a difficult ground ball behind the bag in the fourth. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the team is working closely with Bichette on his positioning at the new position, with Bichette experimenting to find the right depth to maximize his range.

  • Bichette made his Mets debut at third base on Saturday, February 22, 2026, in the team's Grapefruit League opener against the Miami Marlins.

The players

Bo Bichette

A seven-year MLB veteran who signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets this offseason and is transitioning from shortstop to third base.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, overseeing Bichette's transition to third base.

Francisco Lindor

The Mets' starting shortstop, allowing Bichette to move to third base.

Marcus Semien

The Mets' new second baseman, acquired in a trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's a lot of stuff I can learn in the game, which is really important. I'm enjoying the new challenge.”

— Bo Bichette

“He took a good angle there. He created a long hop, which is the right play. … We have to stay on top of him.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager

“The deeper you play, the more range you have. It depends on the situation of the game and who's hitting. I think you see a lot of the great third basemen in our game playing as deep as they can, so I'll be figuring out what that means for me.”

— Bo Bichette

What’s next

Bichette will continue to work with the Mets coaching staff throughout spring training to get comfortable at his new position before the start of the regular season.

The takeaway

Bichette's transition to third base is a key part of the Mets' offseason overhaul, as they look to build a championship-caliber infield around their new $126 million acquisition. The early returns are positive, but Bichette will need to put in the work during spring training to master the nuances of the hot corner before Opening Day.