SNY and different shops have identified that the truth that 5 groups lately acquired new first basemen seemingly will increase the probability that All-Star Pete Alonso will finally 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 “may very well 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Alonso a long-term contract as a result of he is a right-handed hitting and throwing first baseman who turned 30 years outdated earlier this month. Whereas talking with Sammon, one longtime American League scout urged that the Mets and Alonso might in the end want one another this offseason.
“In all probability 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 might 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 celebrity outfielder Juan Soto turned a membership that made a stunning run to this 12 months’s Nationwide League Championship Collection right into a win-now staff. Whereas a lot has been made about Alonso being a defensive legal responsibility, the StatMuse website reveals that solely New York Yankees captain Aaron Decide has hit extra regular-season house runs (232) than Alonso (226) since 2019.
Briefly, 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 typically veers an excessive amount of into what he doesn’t do,” one NL scout instructed 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 exhibiting endurance with Alonso’s market, which has not turn into what he hoped it might be a few months in the past.
Last week, Mark Feinsand of the MLB web site reported that Alonso “might have to attend till January or February to safe” the deal he needs. 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.