Pete Alonso, a superstar slugger approaching free agency, was reportedly given a long-term agreement by the Mets last summer.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the New York Mets tried to sign first baseman Pete Alonso to an extension last summer. Sherman points out that the seven-year, $158 million deal would have covered his final year of arbitration eligibility in addition to six seasons as a free agent. It’s important to remember that the Mets have subsequently had new management. The general manager at the time, Billy Eppler, is no longer employed by the company. Since then, David Stearns, a former general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, has been appointed as the head of baseball operations.
If Alonso had accepted that deal, it would have been the third-highest salary deal for a first baseman since the 2019 season’s conclusion. The only players with longer contracts are Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers (six years, $162 million) and Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves (eight years, $168 million). (Olson’s served as an addition.)
If there is no deal, 29-year-old Alonso will be eligible for free agency at the end of the season. Since making his debut in 2019, he has emerged as one of the franchise’s most prominent and prolific characters. He has 202 home runs and a slash line of.249/.340/.524 (136 OPS+) in portions of six seasons. Baseball Reference has calculated that his contributions are worth an estimated 17.7 Wins Above Replacement. Alonso has participated in three All-Star Games and taken home two Home Run Derby victories. In addition, he was named the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting 53 home runs.
Steven Cohen, the owner of the Mets, said back in March that he didn’t think he would be seriously discussing a new contract with Alonso before the season ended. “We haven’t had any discussion and I think at this point, for Pete, it’s best for him to go and have a great year and not be distracted,” he stated to reporters.
