Now that the Pete Alonso saga is over, the Mets and Alonso can now focus on the season ahead. How did a contract situation with so many twists and turns finally come to a resolution on Wednesday night? According to SNY’s Andy Martino, club owner Steve Cohen met with Alonso and his agent, Scott Boras, in Tampa while on his way to the MLB owners’ meetings.
Mets general manager David Stearns was also present at the meeting. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Alonso had not spoken directly to Cohen since free agency began. At the meeting, the Mets expressed their desire to have Alonso back, and Alonso also aired his frustrations about the whole situation. Puma added that Cohen explained to Alonso that it wasn’t his fault his market was slow-moving, but rather that teams were reluctant to give up a draft pick for a 30-year-old who seemed likely to opt out early in the contract. Martino noted that while no deal was completed at the meeting, it was a big step forward in negotiations.
On the Mets’ side of things, it was no secret that the team wanted Alonso to return, however, it had to be at the right price. New York knew Alonso’s market, didn’t reach and overpay, and let the market come to them. Cohen expressed his own frustration with the contract negotiations during Amazin’ Day at Citi Field last month. In the end, it all paid off for the Mets. The team now gets their slugging first baseman back for another season as they look to compete for a World Series. If Alonso has a big year and opts out after the 2025 season, the team will have more confidence to give Alonso what he wants.
For Alonso, the whole process must’ve been frustrating. He wanted a mega-deal and hired Boras exactly for that reason. However, the market never fully materialized for him because of his 2024 performance and how teams view first basemen in today’s game. Now, Alonso will bet on himself again to have a big season and get the contract he desires.
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