The Bo Bichette defense concerns are already gaining traction in New York, and the regular season has not even fully settled in.
After a blockbuster offseason that saw the Mets reshape their roster, Bo Bichette arrived as one of the marquee additions. With Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil departing, the Mets committed significant resources to bring in Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Marcus Semien and Bichette on a reported $126 million deal.
But while Bichette’s bat is rarely questioned, the Bo Bichette defense concerns are becoming louder after a viral video exposed troubling fielding struggles at third base.
Bo Bichette Defense Concerns Fueled by Viral Video
The viral clip circulating on social media shows Bichette struggling to field routine ground balls cleanly. In several instances, the ball appears to bounce off his glove. In others, his footwork looks hesitant rather than aggressive.
The most alarming aspect of the video is not a single error. It is the pattern. Bichette appears to let ground balls come to him instead of attacking them, increasing the margin for mistakes. At third base, where reaction time is critical, passive footwork can quickly turn into defensive liability.
For Mets fans, the Bo Bichette defense concerns are not new. The video simply amplified what advanced metrics have already suggested.
Bo Bichette Defense Concerns Backed by Advanced Metrics
The numbers paint an even clearer picture. According to Baseball Savant’s Fielding Run Value metric, Bichette posted a -10 mark last season. That tied for the 11th-worst rating among all fielders and ranked as the worst among infielders in 2025.
The Bo Bichette defense concerns become even more troubling when examining his Outs Above Average. Bichette sits in the 1st percentile, indicating extremely limited defensive range compared to his peers. His arm strength ranks in the 36th percentile, which is below average for an infielder and raises additional questions about his transition to third base.
While his offensive profile remains elite, the defensive metrics validate what the viral footage suggests: there are legitimate weaknesses in his glove work.
Bo Bichette Defense Concerns Intensified by Position Switch
The shift to third base only intensifies this current Bo Bichette defense concerns.
Third base demands quick lateral movement, rapid decision-making and a strong, accurate arm across the diamond. If Bichette already struggled with range and arm strength metrics at his previous position, the hot corner could expose those limitations further.
Unlike first base or designated hitter roles, third base offers little margin for developmental growing pains on a contending roster. The Mets are not rebuilding. They are chasing wins now.
That context makes the Bo Bichette defense concerns more than cosmetic.
Bo Bichette Defense Concerns vs Offensive Value
It is important to acknowledge that Bichette remains an offensive force.
His Baseball Savant page shows strong offensive metrics, and he has consistently produced at the plate throughout his career. The Mets did not sign him to anchor the infield defensively. They signed him to lengthen the lineup and deliver run production.
However, championship teams cannot afford a defensive liability at a premium infield position. If the Bo Bichette defense concerns translate into runs allowed in tight games, the offensive output may not fully offset the damage.
Bo Bichette Defense Concerns: Panic or Patience?
The viral video does not guarantee failure. Spring adjustments and coaching can improve footwork and positioning. Comfort at a new position often takes time.
For now, Mets fans have reason to monitor closely. Bichette’s $126 million investment carries expectations on both sides of the ball. If his glove does not stabilize, the Mets could find themselves navigating preventable defensive headaches in a season built on high ambition.
The offense may shine. But until proven otherwise, the Bo Bichette defense concerns remain real.
