The New York Mets are off to a brutal start this season. Sitting well below .500 and already 11.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, the team is facing serious questions about its direction. And according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the situation could get even worse.

Nightengale has dropped a concerning rumor about star shortstop Bo Bichette, who signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets last winter. The deal includes two opt-out clauses, and given how the season is unfolding, Bichette might not want to stick around.

"He signed a three-year, $126 million contract last winter with two opt-outs, and considering the season the Mets are having and the boos serenading him, it's difficult to see him wanting to stay put," Nightengale writes.

If Bichette opts out after just one season, the Mets would lose their marquee free-agent signing with nothing to show for it. Even worse, because of the contract structure, New York wouldn't be able to place a qualifying offer on him—meaning they'd get zero compensation if he walks in free agency.

For a team already struggling, this is a nightmare scenario: missing the playoffs and losing your biggest offseason acquisition after only one year, with no return.

Nightengale suggests Bichette could become a trade candidate before the deadline, though his hefty contract and opt-out uncertainty make any deal complicated. Still, for a team in need of offensive help in the infield, Bichette remains an attractive option. And if the Mets can get something in return, they should seriously consider pulling the trigger—before it's too late.

Of course, a turnaround could change everything. But for now, this rumor has Mets fans holding their breath.