Major League Baseball's 2026-27 offseason is underway with several notable moves and rumors emerging on Friday. New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette exercised his $42 million player option for the 2027 season, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to listen to trade offers for second baseman Ketel Marte. In Japan, the Seibu Lions announced they will post right-hander Kaima Taira for MLB teams, and the Boston Red Sox completed two minor trades to open roster spots.
Bichette stays with Mets
As expected, Bo Bichette picked up his $42 million player option for 2027, according to The Athletic. The 28-year-old also holds another $42 million player option for 2028. Bichette posted a .702 OPS with 18 home runs in his first season with the Mets while transitioning from shortstop to third base. New York's infield now features Bichette at third, Francisco Lindor at shortstop, and Marcus Semien at second base, though first base remains unsettled and Lindor's name may surface in trade rumors.
Diamondbacks open to Marte trades
The Diamondbacks are prepared to entertain offers for Ketel Marte, 33, reports the Arizona Republic. Marte, who has full no-trade protection, had a down year in 2026 with a .249 average, 22 home runs, and 76 RBIs. He also went AWOL in August, leading to a restricted list placement, and manager Torey Lovullo revealed it was the fourth consecutive season Marte missed a game without permission. Teams will need to weigh potential clubhouse impact alongside on-field fit.
Seibu Lions to post Taira
The Seibu Lions will make right-hander Kaima Taira available via the posting system, with the posting expected to become official in the coming days. Taira, who turns 27 next month, threw 146 innings with a 1.36 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 2026. Listed at 5-foot-8, he features a low release point and a diverse arsenal including a mid-90s fastball, cutter, sinker, sweeper, slider, changeup, and splitter. He ranked as the 19th-best free agent this offseason and will have 45 days to negotiate with MLB clubs once posted.
Red Sox make roster moves
Boston executed the offseason's first two trades on Thursday. The Red Sox sent utility man Nate Eaton to the Athletics for minor-league right-hander Jareth Rayo, and traded infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. Both deals open 40-man roster spots as Boston must activate seven players from the 60-day injured list by Monday.
