- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The offseason is barely 48 hours old and already the rumor mill is spinning.
Mets third baseman Bo Bichette has exercised his $42 million player option for 2027, keeping him in New York for at least one more season. The 28-year-old struggled in his first year with the Mets, posting a .702 OPS with 18 home runs while adjusting to third base. He holds another $42 million option for 2028. New York's infield is now set with Bichette, Francisco Lindor, and Marcus Semien, though the club may explore moving Semien or Lindor to address first base.
Out west, the Diamondbacks are expected to field offers for second baseman Ketel Marte. The 33-year-old holds full no-trade protection and his willingness to leave Arizona remains unclear. Marte had a down 2026 season and went AWOL in August, marking the fourth straight year he missed a game without permission.
Japanese right-hander Kaima Taira will be posted by the Seibu Lions. The 27-year-old posted a 1.36 ERA with 141 strikeouts over 146 innings in 2026.
The Red Sox opened trading season Thursday, sending Nate Eaton to Oakland and Tsung-Che Cheng to Detroit.
Mickey's Angle: Bichette's option locks in payroll certainty for the Mets, but Marte's baggage makes him a risky target even at a discount.
Source: CBS Sports (also reported by ESPN) - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.