The dynamics of Pete Alonso’s pending free agency are fascinating

Pete Alonso’s worth to the New York Mets is larger than it’s to some other staff. He is homegrown. He is confirmed in New York. He is 53 residence runs shy of turning into the franchise’s all-time home-run chief.

But how a lot of a precedence Alonso can be for the Mets this offseason — and the way a lot of a precedence his agent, Scott Boras, will place on conserving him in New York — are open questions.

Boras represents a quantity of different potential free brokers whom the Mets are more likely to pursue, most notably outfielder Juan Soto and right-hander Corbin Burnes. Many within the trade anticipate Mets proprietor Steve Cohen to splurge this offseason as his payroll flexibility will increase dramatically. But the dynamics of Alonso’s pending free agency are fascinating, to say the least.

It’s nearly not possible to think about Cohen making the identical sort of preemptive transfer he did with Edwin Díaz in 2022, signing the pitcher to a file $102 million assure for a reliever simply 4 days earlier than the free-agent market opened. Oh, Boras could be amenable if the Mets supply a deal in extra of Miguel Cabrera’s file $248 million contract for a primary baseman. But the way in which first basemen are valued at this time, the Mets may not see him as value greater than the $162 million the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Freddie Freeman. And Boras, no less than initially, doubtless will wish to preserve his choices open.

Alonso, in an interview on Friday, expressed no specific concern about his future with the Mets, or his free agency generally. At the second, he’s coping with different points. In the center of a 1-for-30 droop, he’s batting solely .205 with eight homers and a .710 OPS. With runners in scoring place, his batting common is .138. Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza saved him out of the beginning lineup Monday for the primary time this season.

When requested if he was fearful Boras would possibly doubtlessly block his return to the Mets by directing, say, Soto and Burnes to New York, Alonso stated, “I’m not particularly thinking about that right now.”

“I love the city I play in. I consider myself a New Yorker. I have a great relationship with guys on the team obviously. And I think I have a great relationship with people in the front office and Steve as well. We’ll see what happens this winter. It’s a big question mark. For me, right now, I’m just focusing on doing what I can to help us win every day.”

Alonso even provided an optimistic view of Boras’ most up-to-date offseason, wherein the agent negotiated short-term offers with excessive common annual values for 4 of his greatest names — Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman and Jordan Montgomery.

Boras, citing an total downturn out there and the uneven efficiency histories of some of these gamers, stated his purchasers most well-liked these affords when groups balked at profitable long-term preparations. Montgomery subsequently left him for Wasserman. But Alonso, who employed Boras final October, disputes the agent had a attempting offseason.

“I don’t think he did. If you look at the amount of guys he signed, I think he led all agencies in contracts done. I think he did a great job,” Alonso stated. “If you look at the amount of guys he signed and the amount of deals he did — I think he signed maybe 14 or 15 free agents — I still think that’s a great offseason. Guys did what is best for their families or what they think is best. Who am I to judge?”

By unofficial rely, Boras signed 19 free brokers to major-league contracts. While some thought of the outcomes for his top four clients disappointments, some of his different offers — six years, $113 million for Jung Hoo Lee; two years, $34 million for Rhys Hoskins; one 12 months, $16 million for Frankie Montas — had been coups for the gamers. Boras additionally negotiated a five-year, $125 million extension for Jose Altuve, who turned 34 on Monday.

Alonso, whereas not as achieved as Altuve, is held in comparable esteem by his staff’s fan base. On Boras’ checklist of potential free brokers, he’s one of many, and never the one star. In addition to Soto and Burnes, Boras represents Alex Bregman. And by exercising opt-outs, Snell, Bellinger, Chapman and Hoskins all might return to the open market.

Boras has skillfully navigated giant free-agent courses earlier than. In 2019-20, he negotiated the market’s high three ensures and 6 of the highest 10. In 2021-22, he had the highest three and 5 of the highest 10; in 2022-23, 5 of the highest 10. His objective with Alonso can be getting him the worth first basemen commanded years in the past. It is not going to be straightforward.

Consider the offers that preceded the one Cabrera signed in 2014: $240 million for Albert Pujols, $225 million for Joey Votto, $214 million for Prince Fielder, $180 million for Mark Teixeira (Votto’s was an extension). All of them exceeded the largest latest offers for first basemen: $168 million for Matt Olson (extension), $162 million for Freeman (free agent), $130 million for Paul Goldschmidt (extension).

Boras, who negotiated the Fielder and Teixeira offers, declined remark for this text, however not too long ago made his intentions clear throughout an appearance on “The Show” podcast with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman.

“The revenue system of the game has dramatically changed over the last few years,” Boras stated. “I don’t think the (Freeman and Goldschmidt) contracts are really relevant to anything that has to do with what’s going to happen in the future, particularly with Pete Alonso.”

The drawback for Boras and Alonso is that groups view first base as one of the least vital positions on the defensive spectrum. And none of the primary basemen who obtained monster offers between 2008 and 2014 aged significantly effectively.

Alonso’s calling card is his game-changing energy: He has averaged 44 residence runs in his 4 full seasons. Mets individuals say he isn’t just a slugger, but in addition a superb hitter, dedicated to his craft. In batting follow, Alonso stays centered on his course of, hitting line drive after line drive into each gaps. His barrel management, new teammate Joey Wendle stated, is elite. Hitting coach Eric Chávez describes him as a private favourite.

PETE ALONSO’S 200TH CAREER HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/mqHxpD883L

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 27, 2024

Durability is one other one of Alonso’s strengths: He has by no means missed greater than 10 video games in a season. And whereas he isn’t a very robust defender or base runner, he works onerous in each areas and acknowledges their significance. He even makes a case for why first basemen shouldn’t be devalued from a defensive perspective.

“It’s one of those positions that can be overlooked,” Alonso stated. “A shortstop may make a play, but (there are) routine ones where he throws a dirt ball and the first baseman has to be there to pick it up. There are a lot of plays, cuts and relays, where first basemen are responsible for taking care of the ball. Dealing with pitchers, catchers, backpicks, holding runners, I think it’s a very important position.”

Can he reverse the development of declining ensures for first basemen?

“We’ll see where we are at the end of the year,” Alonso unhappy. “Having a good year can definitely help that. We’ll see. We don’t know. That’s the mystery about it. Hopefully it does (reverse). Again, I’ve got to play. I’ve got to perform. I’ve got to help the team win.”

Alonso is true. So a lot is unknown. Cohen has proven no reluctance to cope with Boras, signing Max Scherzer, Brandon Nimmo, J.D. Martinez, Sean Manaea and Shintaro Fujinami as free brokers, to not point out reaching an settlement with Carlos Correa earlier than medical considerations quashed the deal. But whereas Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns have stated all the appropriate issues about retaining Alonso, their actions within the market will reveal their true intentions.

By subsequent offseason, the market might be bullish once more. Teams in unsure positions with their regional sports activities networks may need higher readability, rising their willingness to spend. A decline in rates of interest might have the same influence, making house owners extra comfy borrowing cash for free-agent investments.

Anything is feasible within the unpredictable world of free agency. Soto might find yourself a Met and Alonso might wind up changing Anthony Rizzo with the New York Yankees. Or perhaps another staff with a gap at first will view Alonso because the slugger they want, realizing they might be signing up for a possible march to 500 residence runs.

The Mets ought to need that countdown for themselves. Boras ought to need Alonso to proceed constructing his legacy in New York. But how this could play out and the way it will play out could be two various things, with conflicting motivations throughout.

(Top photograph of Pete Alonso: Mike Stobe / Getty Images)