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Per Ryan Chichester of Audacy, WFAN radio host and SNY personality Sal Licata suggested back in late December that free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso could eventually feel “disrespected” regarding offers his camp has received from the New York Mets this offseason.
During Wednesday’s news conference related to the Arizona Diamondbacks introducing Corbin Burnes as their new starting pitcher, agent Scott Boras was asked if the relationship between the Mets and Alonso has been damaged by the events of the past few months.
“I don’t want to address preemptive questions about it,” Boras said, as shared by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. “You’re going to have to ask Pete how he’s going to feel and what he’s going to do. He’s just in the marketplace listening right now.”
It’s now clear the market for Alonso’s services never came close to becoming what he and Boras imagined before a handful of teams addressed first base via other moves this offseason. Meanwhile, Mets owner Steve Cohen reportedly “is fully supportive of” team president of baseball operations David Stearns “holding the line on both the length and dollars of their short-term offer” made to the 30-year-old slugger.
The Mets seemingly want to wrap the Alonso saga up one way or another sooner rather than later so that they can either pivot to other options for their lineup or pursue needed help for different areas of the roster, such as the bullpen.
“Teams are now getting a little more definition about their teams so I think things will move,” Boras added about Alonso not yet receiving a contract to his liking this winter.
SNY’s Danny Abriano and ESPN’s David Schoenfield are among the MLB analysts who continue to say that the Mets remain the most likely landing spot for Alonso. The Amazins need lineup protection for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, and there’s no sign Alonso will receive an offer from any club other than a short-term deal that includes opt-outs between now and Opening Day.
If, however, Alonso has some hurt feelings over how Stearns has handled negotiations, the “Polar Bear” could wait things out and ultimately put pen to paper on what is essentially a “prove it” contract with a different organization.
