NEW YORK – It appears that Pete Alonso is gone, gone, gone.
The first Amazin’ Day Fan Fest at Citi Field didn’t bring a dramatic resolution to Alonso’s free agent saga — but seemed to confirm that New York’s most popular and prolific power hitter is likely to sign elsewhere as spring training draws closer.
“We made Pete a big offer,” Mets owner Steve Cohen explained during a fireside chat with president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza. “It’s been an exhausting conversation and negotiation.
“Soto has been tough,” Cohen said, referring to talks that ended with New York signing star slugger Juan Soto to a record $765 million contract. last month. “It’s worse.”
Alonso, who like Soto is represented by agent Scott Boras, has been a fan favorite since his arrival in 2019, when he hit a record 53 home runs. The 30-year-old first baseman has 226 home runs, third in franchise history, and saved New York from playoff elimination last October with a shot at Milwaukee closer Devin Williams in the game 3 in a NL Wild Card series.
A standing-room-only crowd at the Piazza Club chanted Alonso’s name as Cohen and Stearns asked a question about Alonso’s negotiations from moderator Gary Cohen, the Mets’ game announcer on Sny.
“I think we all love Pete and we’ve said that many times,” said Stearns, who spoke in front of Steve Cohen. “I think when we went through this process, we continued to express that. And we also understand that this is a business and that Pete, as a free agent, deserves the right and has the right – has really earned the privilege to see what’s out there.
“We also feel really good about the young players coming through our system,” Stearns said to light boos. “We saw it last year. And that’s not always the most popular opinion, but we saw it last year. And we’re going to have to watch it again.
ALONSO and fellow Boras Alex Bregman are the most notable players yet signed from what has been a cool free agent market for corner infielders. Former Arizona first baseman Christian Walker ($60 million for three years with Houston) is the only outfielder to ink a multi-year contract. Josh Bell, Carlos Santana and former 2022 NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt all signed one-year deals.
“I don’t like the structures that are presented to us,” Steve Cohen said. “It’s very lopsided against us and I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. You know, there’s always a possibility.
“But the reality is we are moving forward and continuing to bring in players. And as we continue to bring in players, the reality is that it becomes more difficult to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have. »
Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, each of whom came through the farm system as third basemen, said Saturday that they took reps at first base this winter. Mendoza said he liked the Mets’ depth at the position, including Joey Menes, who hit 29 home runs the previous three seasons for the Washington Nationals before signing a minor league deal with New York in November.
Hours before the management committee, Alonso’s teammates — along with Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza — expressed hope that he and the club could still come together.
“I would love to have Pete back with us, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions and that’s between Pete and our front office and David and Steve,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said.
“Listen, he’s a special player — guys who can hit 40 homers just don’t walk the streets,” Piazza said. “When he’s really on his game, he’s a special player. From a personal point of view, I hope they work something out. »
Amazin’ Day included 18 panels on the past, present and future of the Mets and featured more than 50 players, alumni and prospects in attendance. Fans were able to tour Citi Field, including the clubhouses and bullpen.
Notes: Soto was scheduled to attend, but four potential flights from the Dominican Republic canceled. Flight problems also prevented Dedniel Núñez and Huascar Brazobán from making their expected visits. … Nimmo and Francisco Lindor said they expected to be 100% when the Mets had their first full practice of spring training on Feb. 17. Nimmo played through plantar fasciitis during New York’s run to the 2024 National League Championship Series, while Lindor missed nine games in New York in September because of a sore back. … Mendoza said RHP Paul Blackburn, limited to five starts following his acquisition from the Athletics because of a spinal leak in his back, made a mound and Núñez, who pitched once after July 23 due to a right elbow injury, threw out arenas and live batting practices. … Stearns said RHP Kodai Senga, limited to one start in the regular season by shoulder and calf injuries last year, will be healthy for spring training. Mendoza said pitching coach Jeremy Hefner visited Senga in Japan this winter.
