NEW YORK — It seems that Pete Alonso’s time with the New York Mets may be coming to an end. The inaugural Amazin’ Day fan fest held at Citi Field did not bring any resolutions to Alonso’s ongoing free agent negotiations, but it did suggest that the team’s celebrated first baseman may be poised to join another club as spring training approaches.
During a discussion with President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza, Mets owner Steve Cohen shared, “We’ve made a significant offer to Pete. This has been a long and arduous negotiation.” He referenced the tough negotiations that led to the team signing star slugger Juan Soto to a historic 15-year, $765 million deal last month, stating that Alonso’s situation has proven to be even more challenging.
Since his arrival in 2019, Alonso has become a beloved figure among fans, having set a rookie record with 53 home runs. The 30-year-old has hit a total of 226 home runs in his career, making him third on the Mets’ all-time list. Last October, he played a crucial role in keeping the season alive with a key hit against Milwaukee in the NL Wild Card Series.
As Cohen and Stearns addressed the crowd, fans in the Piazza Club began chanting Alonso’s name when prompted about the negotiations. Stearns expressed the organization’s admiration for Alonso, acknowledging that while they appreciate him, the nature of MLB business allows Alonso, as a free agent, to explore different opportunities. He added, “We feel good about the young talent we have coming through our pipeline.” His comments were met with some discontent from the crowd, as not everyone is convinced a complete transition could be beneficial.
Alonso, along with Alex Bregman, remains one of the prominent players yet to sign in a relatively muted free agency period for corner infielders. The only player to secure a multiyear deal thus far is Christian Walker, who joined Houston for three years at $60 million. Other notable players, such as Josh Bell and Paul Goldschmidt, opted for one-year contracts.
Cohen voiced his concerns about the current contract structures in the league, calling them “highly asymmetric” and challenging for teams like the Mets. He added, “I will never say no. There’s always a chance. But we are moving forward, and it’s getting trickier to find room for Pete in a lineup full of high-priced players.”
This winter, young players Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, both former third basemen, have been training at first base. Mendoza noted the team’s solid depth at that position, pointing to newcomer Joey Meneses, who has had a strong history with the Washington Nationals before joining New York.
Before the panel discussion, several of Alonso’s teammates, alongside Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, expressed their wish for Alonso to return. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo remarked, “I would love to see Pete back with us, but that’s a decision between Pete and the front office.” Piazza added his perspective, emphasizing Alonso’s unique talent and how rare it is to find a player capable of hitting 40 home runs. “From a personal standpoint, I hope they come to an agreement,” he stated.
Amazin’ Day featured numerous panels discussing the Mets’ history and future, and over 50 players, including alumni and prospects, participated. Fans were also able to tour various parts of Citi Field, including clubhouses and the bullpen.
In other updates, Soto was expected to attend the fest but had to cancel due to canceled flights from the Dominican Republic. Additionally, Nimmo and Francisco Lindor confirmed they anticipate being fully healthy for the first day of spring training, while various members of the pitching staff are also recovering from injuries and preparing for the upcoming season. Stearns indicated that pitcher Kodai Senga would be fit for the start of spring training, with focus on health and readiness being a priority as the team gears up for the new season.
