Whereas it was reported again in the course of January that the New York Mets’ re-signing of outfielder Jesse Winker confirmed the membership was pivoting away from presumably bringing All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso again this offseason, the state of affairs took a flip when Mets proprietor Steve Cohen resumed conversations with Alonso’s camp final week amid rumors suggesting the Toronto Blue Jays had been engaged in severe talks with the “Polar Bear.”
On Monday, MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY defined why it nonetheless makes loads of sense for the Mets and Alonso to reunite earlier than spring coaching video games get underway later this month.
“On Jan. 16, I used to be certainly one of a number of reporters who heard and relayed that the Mets anticipated Pete Alonso to signal elsewhere,” Martino famous. “In line with league sources, the group reached that conclusion as a result of Alonso turned down their supply of a three-year contract that contained opt-outs and included deferred cash that will have elevated the entire to nicely over $70M. If he mentioned no to that, the Mets thought, he will need to have a greater deal elsewhere. However now it’s February, and Alonso remains to be a free agent.“
It is unknown precisely how a lot cash Alonso anticipated to obtain months in the past, however it is also no secret his free-agency journey hasn’t gone as he hoped. Martino instantly mentioned Monday that Alonso is now “with no publicly recognized suitor” after he and the Blue Jays did not come to an settlement to his liking. In the meantime, the Mets’ re-signing of reliever Ryne Stanek adopted by their signing of utility infielder Nick Madrigal to an affordable deal seemingly left obtainable house on the membership’s payroll for a confirmed commodity similar to Alonso.
Martino talked about that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns “all the time most popular to have Alonso” on the roster for a minimum of the 2025 season, partially so the slugger can function lineup safety for All-Star outfielder and offseason acquisition Juan Soto. In the meantime, Jon Heyman of the New York Publish reported final week that “it looks like Alonso desperately hopes to return” to Queens. Bob Nightengale of USA In the present day later repeated that take and mentioned that it is “nearly inevitable {that a} decision will probably be reached” between Alonso and the Mets.
“It’s onerous to see something that will stop a heat reunion,“ Martino added concerning the Mets welcoming Alonso again after Cohen mentioned that the negotiation course of has been “an exhausting“
one. At this level, each the Mets and Alonso in all probability want one another coming off the membership’s journey to the 2024 Nationwide League Championship Sequence.
