New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette will exercise his $42 million player option for the 2027 season rather than return to free agency, The Athletic reported Thursday. The decision keeps him in New York for at least one more year and provides a guaranteed contract amid uncertainty surrounding a potential labor stoppage when baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1. Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the Mets last winter after seven major league seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. After batting .210 with a .531 OPS through May 17 while adjusting to a new team and third base, he hit .281 with 16 home runs and a .772 OPS over his final 114 games. He completed the season at .260 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 160 games. Bichette also has a $42 million player option for 2028, which could give him another chance to enter the open market next offseason if he chooses. His return gives the Mets a familiar third-base option as they seek to rebound from a disappointing 2026 season. New York is expected to build again around Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor while adding young outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. The Mets missed the postseason for a second consecutive season despite having one of baseball's largest payrolls. Bichette has career totals of a .288 batting average, 129 home runs and 515 RBIs in 908 games with the Blue Jays and Mets.