NEW YORK – Pete Alonso covered the New York Mets’ Amazin’ Day at Citi Field on Saturday without attending the event.
“Let’s sign Pete,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said during a panel discussion shortly before answering a question about where things stand with Alonso, the homegrown star and free agent first baseman. Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete!”
Another song is “Pete al-on-So!”
Cohen then said, “Hold on to the end.
Cohen received a dull evaluation.
“We made an important offer to Pete,” Cohen said. “He has the right to explore his own market. That’s what he does. Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough – this is worse.
“A lot of it is that we have made important proposals. I don’t like the structure that is being presented to us again. It’s asymmetric about us. And I feel strongly about that. I will never say no. It’s always a possibility. But the reality is that we move forward. And as we continue to bring in players, the reality is that it has become more difficult to fit Pete into the very expensive group of players we already have. That’s where we are. And I’m being brutally honest.
“I don’t like negotiations. I don’t like what is presented to us. Listen. Definitely, I always stay flexible. If it stays this way, I think we’re going to have to get used to the fact that we’re going to have to move forward with the existing players we have.”
The crowd applauded the answer.
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Teams looking for free agent bats find themselves running out of options.
Typically, from a star player’s perspective, short-term deals can be seen as concessions. So there may be a preference on the player’s part to only have a player opt-out and no money deferred for three years. Of Boras’ four short-term deals beyond the 2023 season, deferred money is not included. On the other hand, from the team’s perspective, they may prefer more optionality on their side.
“Pitt’s request for free agent contract rescue is consistent with the standards and practices of other clubs that have signed similarly positioned eligible/All-Star level players,” agent Scott Boras said. “There is nothing else. We have established standards of fairness.”
Last week, the Mets struck back at Alonso and Boras for three years. Rejected.
The Mets withdrew that particular offer after it was rejected, a source familiar with the matter said. However, it is not known if the Mets and Alonso have re-engaged since then. Therefore, the question remains whether the doors will open under similar or different parameters.
The crowd at Amazin’ Day began chanting, “We want Pete!” As soon as Cohen, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza represented a panel hosted by SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen, Cohen immediately took the stand. When broadcasters started asking questions about Alonso, he called it “the elephant in the room.” The singing of “Pe-te” continued.
“We all like Pete and have said so many times,” Stearns said. “As we went through this process, we continued to express that. We also understand that this is a business and as a free agent, Pete deserves the rights and the privilege of seeing what’s out there.
“We also feel really good about the young players coming through our system who can play at the major league level.”
That’s when fans met Stearns’ words with groans and boos.
“We saw it last year. And that’s not always the most popular opinion,” Stearns continued. “We saw it last year and we’ll do it again this year.”
Without Alonso on the roster, the Mets will likely look internally for a solution at first base. Earlier this month, Mets officials told third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to take reps at first base, with Alonso’s future and position with the club uncertain.
Vientos broke out as the Mets’ third baseman last year, replacing Baty at that position. The scout said Vientos has improved defensively but still has plenty of room to grow. In the minor leagues, he also played first base.
“I love third base, but my main focus right now is, ‘What can we do to get to the World Series and win a championship?’” Vientos said. “That’s what I want.”
On Amazin’ Day, Baty sported New Jersey Numbers. He previously wore number 22. As soon as the Mets signed Juan Soto, a new number was needed. Baty landed in 7th place as he was cheered by José Reyes and Joe Mauer.
Could a new position be next?
Baty started taking reps at first base after Stearns told him a few weeks ago, “We don’t know what’s going to happen.” The next day, the first baseman’s glove arrived in the mail.
Unlike Vientos, Baty is a newcomer to first base. He last played first base sparingly as a sophomore in high school. He didn’t say he was so new to his position that he didn’t even think about catching runners and throwing away from pitchers. He said the scaffolding around the bag was the most difficult part.
Baty sees this as an opportunity to improve his versatility as he tries to earn a spring training job at first base. Third base is Baty’s primary position, but he played second base in Triple-A in the middle of last year. In previous seasons in the minor leagues, he also played left field.
“It’s really fun and honest,” Baty said. “I always took pride in my workouts, as if I could do them. And I think the athleticism allows him to show at any position, whether it’s first base, second base, third base or the outfield.”
Mendoza stopped the first baseman from anointing others. If Vientos slides to first base, Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio will probably make up a competition for playing time at third base.
“We got the option,” Mendoza said when asked if Vientos was the team’s first baseman. “We also gained depth. We signed Jared Young who has experience. Joey Meneses is a non-roster invitee with big league experience. So we got the options there. People will get opportunities. We will see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Alonso remains in free agency. Veteran and clubhouse leader Brandon Nimmo, a Boras client, said he was not surprised that Alonso remained on the market as he expects his longtime teammate to take his time with the process until he sees someone to his liking. said.
“As much as I would love to see Pete back with us, I also understand that I am not making that decision. That’s between Pete and our front office,” Nimmo said. “From what I understand, there was a lot of conversation between them. I still hope we sign him. But we’re really happy with what we’ve done this offseason. We made the team a better team.”
Star shortstop Francisco Lindor added: And I’m sure he will. Pete is smart. And he will get input from his wife and his family and make the best decision for himself. As he should. He is worthy.”
In the meantime, there are less than three weeks left until the Mets begin reporting to spring training.
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(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
