Long-time Toronto Blue Jays franchise shortstop Bo Bichette had spent his entire seven-year MLB career at the position, establishing himself as one of the most recognizable players in the organization’s history before departing in free agency last winter.

His arrival with the New York Mets was expected to bring another significant change. Bichette was immediately slated to move across the diamond and take over at third base, allowing New York to preserve its long-term commitment to Francisco Lindor at shortstop.

The move represented unfamiliar territory for Bichette and likely caught many Blue Jays fans by surprise.

“Bichette, 27, never has started at third base in his seven-year MLB career,” Sportsnet noted . “He had made all his starts at shortstop or designated hitter before switching to second base in last year’s World Series.”

And now, with the Mets looking ahead to 2027 toward the end of their disappointing season, the organization has already made a decision about the defensive alignment going forward.

New York Mets Rule Out Potential Bo Bichette Return To Long-Held Toronto Blue Jays Position

Given the Mets’ poor season overall and his advancing age, questions have emerged about whether Lindor could be moved out of the shortstop role, particularly with the Mets facing an offseason in which major roster decisions will need to be made.

But that speculation was recently put to rest by president of baseball operations David Stearns, who decisively ruled out a move back to shortstop for Bichette, assuming he opts back into his contract.

“David Stearns says he has ‘no question’ that Francisco Lindor will be the Mets’ everyday shortstop next season,” SNY Mets reported last week .

Bichette’s transition to third base has not necessarily been seamless, but he has shown enough to suggest the Mets will keep him there if he returns and Lindor remains the everyday shortstop next season.

“David Stearns was peppered with questions about next year’s Mets team and roster during a Friday press conference at Citi Field,” Dan Martin reported for the New York Post . “One topic he wasn’t able to shed much light on was Bo Bichette, who holds a $42 million player option both for 2027 and 2028… But one thing the Mets — and Bichette — know is that the former shortstop can at least hold his own at third base.”

Former Toronto Blue Jays Shortstop Bo Bichette’s New York Mets Future Remains Uncertain

Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets, but his deal includes $42 million player options for both 2027 and 2028. That gives the former Blue Jays star significant control over his future while also leaving the Mets with decisions of their own.

Bichette has suggested he will return to the Mets and it’s hard to imagine he would secure much more guaranteed money or flexibility by opting out after a relatively poor season. And, assuming he does come back to the Mets, it seems the team has already made its decision about where he will play.