I would guess Bichette opts out. He leaves a $5MM opt out bonus on the table if he doesn’t. He’ll also be a year older, and though still very young, he won’t be able to sign that long term deal for much longer. Plus if he has a second down year, that ship will have sailed.
But the biggest reason I believe he’s gone is that they will be no hitter available this offseason. I think he will greatly benefit from a bad market.