JUST IN: Pete Alonso Aired His Frustration Before Re-Signing With The New York Mets After an Intense Meeting With Steve Cohen

Pete Alonso’s nightmare offseason came to an end Wednesday night when the New York Mets signed him to a two-year contract worth $54 million.

The first baseman will get $30 million in 2025, with an opt-out clause following the season.

The four-time All-Star previously declined a seven-year, $158 million contract extension with the Mets in 2023, leaving more than $100 million on the table.

While many expected Alonso to return to Queens, the lengthy discussions surprised many industry insiders. Alonso and his agent, Scott Boras, reportedly turned down a three-year, $70 million contract earlier this offseason. Following that rejection, the Mets shifted gears, signing outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker to a one-year contract and adding left-handed reliever A.J. Minter.
Alonso’s market dropped as teams addressed first-base positions with signings and trades. His refusal of the Mets’ qualifying offer meant that any signing team would lose a draft pick, thus lowering his market worth.

With Alonso staying in New York for at least one more year, an MLB insider is explaining how the contract was finalized.
Insider: Pete Alonso ‘aired his dissatisfaction’ to New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.
The breakthrough occurred following a face-to-face encounter in Tampa. According to the New York Post’s Mike Puma, Mets owner Steve Cohen flew to Florida on Tuesday for several hours of talks with Alonso, Boras, and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.

Alonso “aired his frustration” with Cohen over the contract negotiations.

“Alonso voiced some of his displeasure that he hadn’t received the kind of offer he expected from the Mets,” says Puma. “Cohen countered with the effect of the qualifying offer and the role it played in suppressing Alonso’s market, as teams who signed Alonso would have to surrender a draft pick.”
Cohen stressed that the team wanted Alonso to stay.

Following the meeting, discussions progressed, culminating in Wednesday’s accord. Now Alonso hopes to recover and reestablish his market worth before perhaps testing free agency again after the season.