Pete Alonso, the New York Mets’ first baseman, is expected to be free agent after this season, thus it is unclear where he will play next spring.
One thing is clear: Alonso isn’t close to silencing those who believe he’s “definitely pressing” during his walk year.
“Oh, no, I don’t think I’m putting any sort of pressure on myself at all when it comes to that,” Alonso said on Sunday in response to a question regarding his status, as provided by Garrett Stepien of SNY. “The only thing I’m concerned about is doing my best to win baseball games. Whatever happens is fine with me. “I just want to be the best version of myself every day so that this team can win.”
Such comments from Alonso are nothing new, but there are reasons to believe he is influenced by his uncertain long-term future. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Alonso went 20-for-94 with runners in scoring position (.213) in his first 98 games this season. The 29-year-old homered just twice between July 1 and Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins (35-64).
According to The Athletic, Alonso had a.722 OPS with runners in scoring position and a.697 OPS with men on base before Monday’s game against Miami. To compare, the “Polar Bear” has a.918 OPS with runners in scoring position and a.877 OPS with men on base across his career.
On Sunday, Alonso batted 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position.
Much has been said over the last month about whether the Mets should acquire or sell before the July 30 MLB trade deadline. While New York finished the weekend in the wild-card part of the National League standings (50-48), the fact that the team lost two of three to Miami after dropping a Sunday home game against the Colorado Rockies (36-64) before of the All-Star break may raise some concerns.
“These 10 games are going to create more clarity and perspective to see where the season is going, and not just for us but for the vast majority of the National League,” Alonso said during Sunday’s game. “Ten games are a two-edged sword. There are both short and long periods of time. “These games are very important.”
All that the Mets have accomplished over the last month to turn their season around could become a distant memory if Alonso does not find his stride beginning with Monday’s series finale at the Marlins.
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