Pete Alonso, the powerhouse first baseman for the Mets, is on the brink of free agency. Unless, of course, he and the Mets can hammer out a contract extension. Given the Mets’ financial muscle, thanks to Steve Cohen, and Alonso’s own hints at staying, you’d think a deal would be a no-brainer. Yet, here we are, with Mets’ new prez, David Stearns, throwing a bit of cold water on our hopes.
“I think that’s probably the most likely outcome,” Stearns mused about Alonso exploring free agency. Could be a bluff, sure. Or maybe, just maybe, talks have hit a snag. Seems like Stearns might be okay letting Alonso swing for the fences in his final Mets season before deciding what’s what.
Alonso’s not just any player, though. At 29, he’s a three-time All-Star and a serious slugger. Remember 2019? Fifty-three homers. That’s a Mets record, folks. And he’s not slowing down. With 192 homers, he’s rubbing elbows with Mets legends like Strawberry, Wright, and Piazza. And those RBIs? The guy’s a run-producing machine, with seasons of 120, 94, 131, and 118 runs batted in. That 131? Another record for the Mets.
But last season was a bit odd for Alonso. Sure, he smashed 46 homers and drove in 118 runs. But that batting average? A mere .217. A hiccup, perhaps, considering he hit .271 the year before. And let’s be real, with his power, he doesn’t need to be a batting champion. He’s still raking in the runs.
The Mets, under Stearns, seem to be tweaking things on the go. But Alonso’s bat is like thunder in their lineup. They’re eyeing contention, and keeping Alonso seems key. The Mets’ first base prospects? Well, there’s Ryan Clifford, a promising youngster from the Verlander trade. But Alonso’s in a league of his own.
It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, this whole situation. Letting Alonso walk would be a shocker. But hey, this could all be part of the negotiation dance. Only time will tell.
