Phillies' Dave Dombrowski disappointed over failed Bo Bichette pursuit: 'It was a gut punch'

"We thought we were very close to having a deal done. We thought it was going to happen, but it wasn't done. ... Until you sign a memo of understanding, you don't have a deal done - and we did not sign one of those. It wasn't that we weren't moving toward that direction. It isn't that we didn't think we were going to get there. But we just did not get to that point."

"Instead, Bichette opted for a short-term contract in Queens, which includes opt-outs after the first and second seasons that would allow him to return to free agency while still in his prime. Since the upcoming classes of free-agent hitters are considered significantly weaker, he'd likely have a much higher chance of capturing a more lucrative long-term commitment."

Philadelphia believed it was close to signing shortstop Bo Bichette but did not finalize a memorandum of understanding and ultimately missed him. Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets that includes opt-outs after the first and second seasons, preserving the option to re-enter free agency in his prime. Upcoming free-agent hitter classes are expected to be weaker, increasing Bichette's chance for a larger long-term contract later. Once Bichette signed elsewhere, the Phillies moved quickly to re-sign catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million extension. The Phillies previously re-signed Kyle Schwarber and retain the same aging core.

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