VIP host says Philly “outbid” Mets in Beau Bichet negotiations

All the top free agents are quickly leaving the market after Kyle Tucker decided to sign a four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Those who missed out on Tucker, such as the New York Mets, had to turn around quickly, and they did — with the Mets signing Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract, beating out other suitors such as the Philadelphia Phillies to the signature of the talented shortstop.

Bichet’s decision to sign with the NL East rival Mets sparked a wave of backlash from the Phillies — with SportsRadio 94VIP host Spike Eskin claiming the Phillies were never in the mix for Bichet and were working with an outdated style of thinkingmissing out on other big free agents in the process.

“The Phillies were played. The whole Beau Bichet situation was questionable from the beginning. … The whole thing was orchestrated by his agent to get the best possible offer. And the best offer didn’t come from the Phillies. And here’s the biggest problem,” Eskin said. “These guys want short-term contracts with bigger AAVs and waivers. … The Phillies are still pretending this was eight, nine years ago when they can just promise all the years in the world.”

“They just outdid it.”

Spike says the Phillies were outbid by the Mets in the Bo Bichet sweepstakes.

“It’s terrible because the Phillies were played. The whole Beau Bichet situation was awkward from the beginning.” pic.twitter.com/F6fGvnBoli

— SPORTSRADIO 94VIP (@SportsRadioVIP) January 16, 2026

The Phillies are bringing back their 2025 team

At least the Phillies took care of a few of their free agents, bringing in Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto back although there are major aging concerns surrounding the two. They lost Ranger Suarez to the Boston Red Sox, but the Phillies have enough pitching depth that they should have enough to cover that loss.

The world doesn’t end for the Phillies just because they missed Bichet. They still have a quality, if outdated, lineup that should make some noise in the National League. And it’s not like they don’t have any options left in free agency, with players like Framber Valdez and Cody Bellinger still looking for 2026 homes.