PORT ST. LUCIE — It’s been a pleasure watching Pete Alonso play baseball these final 5 years.
We’ve loved seeing him hit extra dwelling runs than anybody since coming into MLB, enhance his protection noticeably, play hard-nosed ball persistently and convey that oh-so-rare lunch-pail angle that’s allowed him to log 157 video games yearly.
Mets followers, go forward and relish the free-agent-to-be Alonso’s sixth season in Queens as a result of there are not any ensures there’ll be a seventh. I’m not reliving his tenure as a result of that is undoubtedly the tip for Alonso. However followers should be ready.
Put one other method: Take pleasure in it whereas it lasts.
There are a few important, Mets-related elements that would simply hold Alonso in orange and blue (extra on these beneath). However let’s face actuality, it’s definitely a really distinct risk that is it for Alonso.
On his first day right here in Mets camp, Alonso mentioned plenty of good issues in regards to the Mets, their followers and New York. However what he didn’t say is that he’s hellbent (my new favourite baseball phrase, thanks Aaron Boone) on staying a Met.
Oh, he had his probabilities.
Alonso did say he has “undoubtedly envisioned” himself as a “lifelong Met.” However what he didn’t say was that he desires nothing greater than to be a without end Met.
Perhaps he simply doesn’t need to give away his true emotions to assist administration in any potential long-term negotiation — and by the best way, neither facet has initiated something past the one-year deal for $20.5 million they labored out to keep away from an arbitration listening to. However I don’t suspect that’s the one cause.
Even when he didn’t say this, perhaps he can envision himself elsewhere, too.
Imagine Pete when he says he loves it in New York and loves being a Met. However longtime associates say, like many stars, he’s additionally lengthy appeared ahead to free company. Meaning, dare I say it, he may go away.
They are saying he’d prefer to get what he deserves. They are saying he wouldn’t thoughts wanting round — not that there’s something fallacious with it.
Alonso mentioned plenty of good issues in regards to the Mets. However what he does counts, too.
Alonso switched brokers to rent Scott Boras, who’s greatest identified for maximizing free-agent {dollars}. And let’s face it, even earlier than he employed Boras, Alonso went yr to yr. He confirmed little curiosity in a long-term extension.
After all, Alonso may keep in Queens. I simply wouldn’t depend on it.
There’s no cause to imagine he gained’t at the very least be a free agent, and there’s no cause to suppose there gained’t be lots on the market for him.
We’ve heard the Cubs like Alonso, and we additionally know they’ve achieved virtually nothing to reinforce their offense.
The Giants may make sense if he can take the wintry Julys and pitchers park.
The Cardinals may work, particularly if they’ll’t retain their very own star free agent, Paul Goldschmidt.
The Rangers, Mariners and Phillies may match, too.
And sure, so may the Yankees.
Our two groups have been kindly neighbors. The Mets by no means made a transfer for Aaron Decide final winter, again after they had been in spending mode. However Anthony Rizzo’s contract is up, and if the Mets make a transfer on the a lot youthful Juan Soto, our different native famous person free agent, that would lead the Yankees to poach from their crosstown rival in response.
For positive, this one is unpredictable.
This one may go all the way down to the wire.
This one could rely upon Steve Cohen.
That shouldn’t be a shock. Let’s be actual. Regardless of how a lot enter the baseball guys have, and new baseball president David Stearns absolutely has as a lot or extra say than most, no one is spending $200 million plus with out consulting the guy whose cash it’s.
Stearns’ rep all through the sport is of a superb, calculating govt whose numbers usually don’t favor lengthy offers to gamers 28 or older. He went arduous for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who’s 25. Who is aware of? He would possibly like Soto, who’s 24.
However let’s face it, big-market groups actually hellbent on successful (and I imagine the Mets are, at the very least in the long run), have to contemplate {that a} overwhelming majority of star free brokers are pushing 30 like Pete, who’s 29.
Stearns’ cool calculations led to 4 straight playoff appearances in Milwaukee. He made powerful decisions there (see the Josh Hader commerce), however in a short speak with The Put up, Stearns indicated he additionally understands there are issues past the delivery certificates.
“We consider each participant as a person,” Stearns mentioned. “I don’t suppose we’re taking a look at anybody biographical indicator or choice indicator that’s going to set our curiosity in any explicit participant. Each participant is a person, and there’s lots that goes into any analysis. We definitely acknowledge what Pete means to our group and what Pete means to the staff.”
That’s good to listen to. However the larger issue, after all, could also be Cohen. He didn’t purchase the staff to be booed out of the 5 boroughs.
Cohen could in the end save the day and spend what it takes to retain the beloved, homegrown Alonso. However there’s definitely no assure right here. As they are saying, this one may go both method.