After landing a $126-million payday with the New York Mets, Bo Bichette's main focus when spring training arrives will be preparing for the season with his new team.
Bichette, who had previously stated his interest in playing for Brazil at the upcoming World Baseball Classic, has informed the country's coaching staff that he will not be participating, according to ESPN Brasil's Ubiratan Leal.
The 27-year-old third baseman is eligible to represent the country because his mother was born in Brazil.
Bichette's brother, Dante Jr., is expected to play at the event. Dante was a first-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2011, but never advanced past double-A.
Bo has represented Brazil in the past, joining Dante at the World Baseball Classic qualifiers in 2016. In those three games, Bo picked up two singles as Brazil was unable to qualify.
Watch the World Baseball Classic on Sportsnet
The World Baseball Classic is back for its sixth edition, running from March 5-17 in Miami, Houston, San Juan and Tokyo. Catch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Broadcast schedule
At this year's tournament, Brazil will compete in Pool B against the United States, Mexico, Italy and Great Britain at Daikin Park in Houston. The top two teams from round-robin play will advance to the quarterfinals.
Brazil is not expected to have any MLB representation on its roster.
Bichette, meanwhile, will remain with the Mets throughout the spring in order to prepare for Opening Day.
He landed his three-year contract in Queens after finishing among the MLB leaders in hits in 2025 with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 139 games, he collected 181 base knocks while swatting 18 home runs and slashing .311/.357/.483.
The two-time all-star was forced to the sideline for the end of the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs due to a knee injury. He eventually returned to the Blue Jays for the World Series, posting an OPS of .923 over seven games against the Dodgers and hitting a clutch three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7.
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