New York Mets owner Steve Cohen admitted on Saturday that, while the team was “moving forward” with its usual offseason roster-building exercise with or without Pete Alonso, “there’s always a possibility” that the free agent first baseman would return in 2025. Recently, that prospect may have received a boost.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets could return to talking with Alonso’s side following a breakdown in talks between Alonso and the Toronto Blue Jays. According to Martino, “Talks were advancing last week between Alonso’s camp and Toronto, league sources said.” However, postponed money could have been a stumbling block, as evidenced by Toronto’s massively deferred pact with outfielder Anthony Santander.” According to various reports, Santander is delaying more than half of the $92.5 million originally reported for his five-year contract.
Reports that the Blue Jays were interested in signing Alonso gained traction last week. One Twitter/X user remarked that the Jays “fumbled on the 10-yard line,” a comparison Martino accepted. Given this, it appears like the Blue Jays are insisting on postponing some of Alonso’s salary, which may cause Alonso’s camp to balk.
Cohen told fans at the Mets’ “Amazin’ Day” event on Saturday that he was dissatisfied with the progress of negotiations with Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras. “I don’t like what’s being presented to us,” Cohen remarked. “Perhaps that changes. Certainly, I will always be adaptable. If things continue as they are, I believe we will have to accept the fact that we will have to stick with the current players.
However, the Mets are allegedly still open to hiring Alonso, who hit 34 home runs last season and has 226 since his 2019 Rookie of the Year campaign in Queens. They simply are wary of the terminology. Martino reports that Cohen and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns “are in agreement that it is unwise to venture too far past the top luxury tax threshold” of $301 million.
After signing reliever Ryne Stanek on Wednesday, the Mets’ payroll is projected to be between $310 and $320 million, according to Martino, even without Alonso and the utility infielder they are looking to add. Meanwhile, other agencies appear to be vying for Alonso’s signature. SportsNet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith claimed Wednesday on Twitter/X that MLB agents have just been notified that they cannot contact Pete Alonso, which is a common reaction when agents feel a player is dissatisfied with their existing representation.
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