Mets Star Bo Bichette Opts Out of WBC to Focus on New Team

The 27-year-old infielder will not suit up for Team Brazil in this year's World Baseball Classic.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Bo Bichette, the Mets' new third baseman, has decided not to play for Team Brazil in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Bichette, whose mother is from Brazil, had expressed interest in representing the country in the tournament, but will instead focus on acclimating to his new team and position this spring training.

Why it matters

Bichette's decision to skip the WBC is a sign that he is fully committed to his new team, the Mets, and wants to ensure a smooth transition to his new role as the team's third baseman. As a two-time All-Star, Bichette's presence would have been a major boost for Team Brazil, but his focus on the Mets is understandable given his recent big-money contract and the team's high expectations for the upcoming season.

The details

After signing a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets in the offseason, Bichette has decided to forgo playing for Team Brazil in the World Baseball Classic. The 27-year-old infielder had previously expressed interest in representing his mother's home country, but will now concentrate on getting comfortable at his new position of third base during spring training.

  • Bichette signed his three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets in January 2026.
  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in March 2026.

The players

Bo Bichette

A 27-year-old infielder who recently signed a lucrative contract with the New York Mets after spending his first seven MLB seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dante Bichette Jr.

Bo Bichette's older brother, who was a first-round draft pick by the New York Yankees in 2011 but never made it to the MLB level.

Mariana Bichette

The mother of Bo and Dante Bichette, who is a native of Porto Alegre, Brazil, making both of her sons eligible to play for the Brazilian national team.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets, who has expressed optimism about Bichette's transition to third base.

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What they’re saying

“I hope that I can bring some attention to baseball in Brazil. There's amazing and talented athletes in there. The WBC is a big opportunity for us.”

— Bo Bichette

“He's an athlete. We're looking at a guy that has played shortstop pretty much his whole career. And just watching him today, moving around third base, taking ground balls, creating angles and then the throws to first base, I was telling him, 'It looks like you played there before.'”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager

What’s next

Bichette will focus on acclimating to his new position of third base during Mets spring training, as the team looks to integrate the two-time All-Star into their lineup and infield.

The takeaway

Bo Bichette's decision to skip the World Baseball Classic in order to fully commit to his new team and position with the Mets demonstrates his dedication to his new organization and the high expectations they have for him in 2026 and beyond.