The score of the New York Mets baseball game isn't found on a Jumbotron right now. It's found in the ledger of Steve Cohen. If you're looking for a box score today, January 16, 2026, you're going to be disappointed because the dirt at Citi Field is currently frozen solid.
But honestly? The Mets just put up a massive "W" in the only way that matters during the winter.
Late last night, the baseball world was buzzing about the Mets losing out on Kyle Tucker. It felt like a gut punch. The Dodgers swooped in with a four-year, $240 million deal, leaving New York at the altar again. But David Stearns didn't sit around moping. By lunch today, the Mets reached a massive three-year, $126 million agreement with Bo Bichette.
That is the score that actually matters.
Why the Bichette Move Changes Everything
The "score" of this offseason has been a rollercoaster. One minute, fans are panicking because the Phillies were the favorites for Bichette. The next, the news drops that he’s headed to Queens.
Bichette is coming off a 2025 where he hit .311 with the Blue Jays. He basically spent the World Series hitting rockets off Shohei Ohtani. If you saw his Game 7 home run—a 442-foot monster—you know the guy is a pure hitter. The Mets are reportedly planning to play him at third base.
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Think about that infield for a second.
- Francisco Lindor at Shortstop
- Marcus Semien at Second Base
- Bo Bichette at Third Base
It’s kind of ridiculous. It’s the sort of "score" that makes opposing pitchers want to fake a blister.
Understanding the New York Mets Baseball Game Strategy
Most people think "score of the New York Mets baseball game" and expect to see runs, hits, and errors. In mid-January, the score is measured in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and luxury tax thresholds.
The Mets are paying a premium for flexibility. Bichette’s deal is $42 million per year, which is huge, but it's only for three years. He can even opt out after the first or second season. This isn't a 10-year albatross contract that prevents you from signing anyone else in 2030. It’s a "win now" move that keeps the future open.
The Real Numbers from 2025
To understand where we are, you have to look back at how the last season ended. The Mets finished 2025 with an 83-79 record. They were second in the NL East but felt miles away from the elite teams after a second-half collapse.
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Pitching was the biggest headache. Carlos Mendoza struggled to manage a staff that seemed to crumble under pressure.
- Luis Torrens signed for $2.275 million to backup Francisco Alvarez.
- Huascar Brazoban took a $1.05 million deal to stick in the bullpen.
- Wandy Asigen, a massive international prospect, just signed for $3.9 million.
These aren't just names. They are the depth pieces that prevent the "score" from being 10-2 in favor of the Braves by the fourth inning.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Schedule
The 2026 season officially starts on March 26 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. People see that and think, "Oh, I have time."
But the Mets' early schedule is a meat grinder. They have three West Coast trips in their first few weeks.
- April 2-5: San Francisco Giants
- April 13-15: Los Angeles Dodgers (The Kyle Tucker revenge series)
- May 1-3: Los Angeles Angels
If the Mets don't have their roster solidified by February 21—when Spring Training starts against the Marlins—they are going to be in deep trouble. The "score" of those early games will dictate the vibes for the rest of the year.
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The Brett Baty Dilemma
With Bichette taking over third base, what happens to Brett Baty? He hit 18 homers last year. He was solid. But in New York, "solid" gets you traded or moved to the bench when an All-Star becomes available.
There are rumors that the Red Sox are sniffing around a Baty trade. The Mets need pitching. The Red Sox just signed Ranger Suárez, making their rotation crowded. It’s a classic "challenge trade" scenario that could happen any day now.
Actionable Steps for Mets Fans Right Now
Don't wait for Opening Day to get involved. The offseason moves fast, and if you aren't paying attention, you'll miss the context of the 2026 season.
- Check the 40-man Roster: The Mets just outrighted Ji Hwan Bae to Triple-A Syracuse. Keep an eye on the fringe of the roster; that's where the games are won in August.
- Mark the Calendar for Feb 21: This is the first Spring Training game in Port St. Lucie. It's the first time we'll see Bichette in a Mets jersey.
- Monitor the Pitching Market: The Mets lost Edwin Díaz and Tyler Rogers this winter. They brought in Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, but they still need a frontline starter to pair with Kodai Senga.
- Set Alerts for Physicals: The Bichette deal is "pending a physical." Remember, he had a knee injury in September. Until that physical is cleared, nothing is official.
The actual score of the New York Mets baseball game won't show up on a live scoreboard for another two months. For now, the score is being written in the front office, and today, they finally put some points on the board.