Mets Steve Cohen Needs To Make The Contract Extension Decision With Pete Alonso Very Wisely

With a record of 61-73, the New York Mets are now 27 games down of the division-leading Atlanta Braves. The Mets have the largest payroll in MLB, yet they have little chance of making the postseason. As a result, owner Steve Cohen is already making plans for the upcoming season, and speculation is rife regarding their star outfielder, Pete Alonso.

Mets Steve Cohen Needs To Make The Contract Extension Decision With Pete Alonso Very Wisely

The notion that by dealing Alonso, who is eligible to become a free agency after the 2024 season, for a package of prospects, the Mets will better position themselves for the future is absurd.

Well, it would be foolish unless the Mets are, um, moving the deadline for contention to 2026 or 2027, which would undoubtedly surprise the paying fans.

After the upcoming season, Alonso will be a free agent, which has caused some around the league to wonder if the Mets may try to sell him. In spite of these speculations, a few Mets players don’t appear very excited about the prospect of Alonso playing for a team other than the Mets.

Owner Steve Cohen addressed to media regarding Pete Alonso’s future with the team after Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, among other important veterans, left.

Cohen said he “hopes thing works out” when the slugger becomes a free agent before the 2025 season, according to SNY.

“We love Pete as a Met. He’s an integral part of the Mets. He’s still with us for another year. We hope we work things out,” said Cohen, who compared the situation to that of Brandon Nimmo’s free agency.

“I don’t want to talk about private conversations, but what I will say is that Pete is a great Met,” Cohen added.

In 2024, Alonso will begin his final year of arbitration, following which he will be an unrestricted free agent. This season, he’s playing under a one-year, $14.5 million deal.

“The guy’s going to drive in 100 runs again, going to hit 40 home runs again,” manager Buck Showalter said before the Mets rallied for Wednesday’s 10-inning, 6-5 victory over Texas at Citi Field. “I mean, he’s going to post up every day.

“We’re lucky to have him. We’re lucky to have him.”

His future was unclear at the trade deadline since it was later revealed that the Mets and Milwaukee had held significant trade negotiations. There was a supposed win-now team that was dismantled. There has been a lot of recent conversation regarding the contract, and it won’t stop until a solution is found.

With 53 home runs, Alonso topped the league and was named the National League Rookie of the Year after joining the Mets in 2019.

The 28-year-old is slashing .219/.323/.515 with 39 homers and 96 RBI this year.

 

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