How close were Phillies to signing Bo Bichette? Insider reveals J.T. Realmuto admission originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Philadelphia Phillies were strongly pursuing infielder Bo Bichette for a long-term deal, with a reported figure around $200 million and seven years.

The Phillies pivoted their focus on veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto after failing to reach an agreement with Bo Bichette. Philadelphia's three-year, $45 million contract with Realmuto nets $15 million a year plus a max $5 million in award bonuses.

The Phillies gave Bichette the offer he wanted: seven years, $200 million. But the Mets swooped in with a shorter-term, higher-salary offer. “It’s a gut punch,” said Dave Dombrowski.

The Philadelphia Phillies weren't thrilled to learn that Bo Bichette spurned their offer to sign a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets (which includes two opt-outs).

Former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. calls Bichette signing "unreasonable" as the Mets scrambled after losing Kyle Tucker to Dodgers

The Dodgers, four-year $240 million Tucker deal has influenced its first free agent signing, as the Mets spent way more than anyone projected Bichette to receive.

Phillies reportedly deciding fate of $20M veteran before Spring Training after Bo Bichette whiff originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.