Talks between the Mets and Pete Alonso’s brokers on the Boras Company seemingly hit an deadlock final week, as experiences emerged that the Mets anticipated Alonso to signal elsewhere after the 2 sides every rejected the opposite’s contract affords. Workforce proprietor Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns every addressed the scenario on the “Amazin’ Day” fan occasion this weekend at Citi Discipline, with Cohen reinforcing the concept that the door isn’t closed on an Alonso reunion, however the possibilities of an settlement seem diminished.
“We made a big provide to Pete,” Cohen advised followers and media, together with The Athletic’s Will Sammon. Nonetheless, the proprietor doesn’t “just like the constructions which can be being introduced again to us. I believe it’s extremely uneven in opposition to us, and I really feel strongly about it. I’ll by no means say no, you recognize, there’s at all times the chance [of an agreement]. However the actuality is we’re transferring ahead, and as we proceed to herald gamers, the truth is it turns into tougher to suit Pete into what’s a really costly group of gamers that we have already got.
“And that’s the place we’re, and I’m being brutally sincere. I don’t just like the negotiations. I don’t like what’s been introduced to us. Pay attention, possibly that modifications, and definitely, I’ll at all times keep versatile. If it stays this fashion, I believe we’re going to should get used to the truth that we might should go ahead with the present gamers that now we have.”
The precise specifics of Scott Boras’ affords to the Mets aren’t identified, although the idea floated was a three-year contract with a minimum of one opt-out clause, which might enable Alonso to check free company once more probably as early as subsequent offseason. The construction is just like the offers signed by different Boras purchasers like Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery final winter, which noticed the gamers every obtain a excessive common annual worth inside the framework of these shorter-term contracts.
Experiences indicated that the Mets’ countered the Alonso camp’s provide with a three-year deal (presumably nonetheless with opt-outs) price $68M-$70M, which might’ve given Alonso a tough AAV of $23M. Alonso and his reps rejected that supply and Sammon writes that the Mets then pulled the provide away totally, resulting in the present stalemate between the 2 sides. In response to Sammon, “It’s unknown if the Mets and Alonso have since re-engaged. So whether or not the door is open below comparable or totally different parameters stays a query.”
Whereas some gamesmanship might actually have been at play in Cohen’s feedback, the Mets proprietor didn’t mince phrases in saying “personally, this has been an exhausting dialog and negotiation.” Cohen felt that the talks with Alonso have been “worse” than even the “robust” negotiations with Juan Soto that resulted in Soto’s report $765M contract. Sarcastically, each Soto and Alonso are represented by Boras, however clearly the markets for each sluggers different tremendously.
Even earlier than the offseason started, there was some sense that Alonso (as a power-centric first baseman with barely declining numbers over the past two seasons) may need to accept a shorter-term cope with choose outs, so the truth that the talks with the Mets have targeted on such contracts isn’t a lot of a shock. What isn’t clear, nevertheless, is whether or not Alonso has different suitors keen to supply extra years, or a minimum of larger common annual salaries. The Giants, Angels, Purple Sox and Blue Jays have all reportedly proven some curiosity in Alonso, with Toronto seemingly making the newest push for the primary baseman.
When it comes to how the Mets may be wanting past Alonso, Jesse Winker was re-signed final week, filling one other gap on the position-player aspect. The New York Publish’s Joel Sherman wrote that the Mets requested each Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to start out understanding at first base, with Baty additionally getting some reps as a second baseman.
Vientos has some expertise at first base already, and he was already locked into a daily spot in New York’s 2025 lineup whether or not as a 3rd baseman (if Alonso re-signed) or at first (if Alonso left and one other first base-only kind wasn’t obtained). Baty has performed nearly solely at third base throughout his 169-game MLB profession and within the minors, whereas spending a while at second base and in left area within the minors. He has by no means performed first base on the skilled stage, with Baty telling Sammon that he final performed the place when he was a highschool sophomore.
However, Baty views the problem as “actually enjoyable….I’ve at all times prided myself on being as athletic as I may be. And I believe athleticism, you possibly can present it off at any place whether or not it’s first base, second base, third base, the outfield, no matter it’s.”
With a .215/.282/.325 slash line over 602 plate appearances on the MLB stage, Baty has but to ascertain himself over components of three seasons within the Present, so including positional flexibility is a minimum of a great way for the previous high prospect to assist his possibilities of making the roster. Between Baty, Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio, the Mets might let these kids compete for enjoying time at third base, ideally with one stepping as much as tackle the common beginning job. If none are prepared for prime time, the Mets might pursue a nook infielder of some kind on the commerce deadline, with Vientos maybe shifting from first to 3rd base relying on who New York would possibly get hold of.
