Mets urged to part ways with $126M All-Star 'black hole' blamed for offensive struggles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets are off to a slow start this season, and there is growing concern about whether they can turn things around. New York currently sits in last place in the NL East.

If the struggles continue for several more weeks, the Mets could begin exploring trades involving some of their biggest names.

“This is why the Mets soon may be the center of attention once they realize that this season is a lost cause, letting their rivals know they are open for business. They have three of the top trade chips in the game in starters Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes and infielder Bo Bichette,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.

One of New York’s biggest offseason moves was signing Bo Bichette after missing out on Kyle Tucker.

“The New York Mets, in a quick pivot after failing to sign Kyle Tucker, have agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract with infielder Bo Bichette, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote.

The Mets understood that Bichette’s transition to third base could take time defensively, but the expectation was that his bat would make up for it. Instead, his offensive production has been so underwhelming that it has become one of the major reasons for the team’s struggles at the plate. There is even growing belief that New York should consider moving him at the trade deadline if things do not improve.

“Admittedly, trading Bo Bichette would be easier said than done, considering the massive contract he's on, but the Mets are struggling, and there's certainly a chance a team from around the league will be interested in buying low, given Bichette's season-long struggles. Many people can be blamed for the Mets' lackluster offense, but Bichette, a two-time All-Star who has been healthy all year, is near or at the top of that list. Bichette is slashing .222/.269/.290 with two home runs and 16 RBI on the year. His defense at third base has been better than expected, but he's been a black hole in a lineup full of them,” FanSided’s Zachary Rotman wrote.

The Mets are in a difficult spot at this point in the season. Bichette’s lack of production has made his contract look significantly worse, and his impact in the lineup has been minimal for much of the year.

New York could still receive a respectable return if it decides to move him at the deadline, especially because of his track record as a two-time All-Star. However, if his offensive struggles continue, the Mets may find it difficult to secure a substantial return package.

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