SNY and different shops have identified that the truth that 5 groups not too long ago acquired new first basemen seemingly will increase the probability that All-Star Pete Alonso will ultimately return to the New York Mets.
Nonetheless, The Athletic’s Will Sammon revealed on Monday that “there was no indication talks between the Mets and Alonso had picked up steam” forward of Christmas and that “the sticking level” concerning the events’ discussions “might be contract size.”
Along with ESPN’s Jeff Passan, unnamed executives shared final week that “groups are hesitant to present” Alonso a long-term contract as a result of he is a right-handed hitting and throwing first baseman who turned 30 years previous earlier this month. Whereas talking with Sammon, one longtime American League scout prompt that the Mets and Alonso may in the end want one another this offseason.
“Most likely will take 4 years, however I’d attempt to push for a better annual common worth over three years,” the scout mentioned about how Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns may method contract talks with Alonso’s camp. “If I really feel he’s a man who places us excessive, I simply give that fourth 12 months.”
New York’s historic signing of famous person outfielder Juan Soto turned a membership that made a stunning run to this 12 months’s Nationwide League Championship Sequence right into a win-now group. Whereas a lot has been made about Alonso being a defensive legal responsibility, the StatMuse website exhibits that solely New York Yankees captain Aaron Decide has hit extra regular-season house runs (232) than Alonso (226) since 2019.
In brief, the Mets’ lineup would undeniably be higher in March 2025 with Alonso defending Soto than with out the “Polar Bear,” a fan favourite who has performed just for the Amazins since his MLB debut in 2019.
“The dialog on Pete generally veers an excessive amount of into what he doesn’t do,” one NL scout informed Sammon, “however we should always actually give him credit score for issues he does do, too, like hit house runs as a result of he does that at an elite degree. And he ought to proceed to.”
Stearns and Mets proprietor Steve Cohen are displaying persistence with Alonso’s market, which has not turn into what he hoped it will be a few months in the past.
Last week, Mark Feinsand of the MLB web site reported that Alonso “could have to attend till January or February to safe” the deal he desires. Nonetheless, Stearns and Cohen had higher notice that many paying clients will not react kindly if this ready sport leads to the slugger signing elsewhere.
