Why Mets aren’t worried about Pete Alonso relationship after ‘exhausting’ contract saga

Whispers surfaced earlier this winter suggesting that what New York Mets owner Steve Cohen later referred to as “exhausting” contract talks with first baseman Pete Alonso had damaged Alonso’s relationship with the club beyond repair. 

Shortly after it was reported Wednesday night that Alonso will return to the Mets via a two-year deal that includes a player opt-out after this season, The Athletic’s Will Sammon shared why Cohen and Co. believe Alonso will remain a positive figure inside the clubhouse through at least the bulk of 2025. 

“By bringing Alonso back this way…the Mets revealed that they’re not overly worried about him returning to the clubhouse with any potential negative energy,” Sammon explained. “The way some Mets people see it, Alonso is a competitor and will be thoroughly motivated to perform at a high level. In their view, Alonso’s drive will outweigh any possible dissatisfaction.”

Cohen reportedly trusted Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns to do right by the organization regarding the Alonso saga that ultimately played out much differently than the slugger imagined back in the fall. After all, he rejected a seven-year, $158M contract extension offered by the Mets during the 2023 campaign to bet on himself ahead of reaching free agency. Alonso then noticeably pressed at the plate as his offensive production dipped from the previous year. 

He ended the 2023 season with 46 home runs, 118 RBI and an .821 OPS. To compare, Alonso entered the 2024 playoffs with 34 homers, 88 RBI and a .788 OPS. 

As Newsday’s David Lennon and others pointed out, Alonso and the Mets needed each other this winter. It’s now clear no other club was going to better what Cohen was willing to pay Alonso. The fan favorite now has a second chance to produce a career season in a potential walk year while serving as the lineup protection for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto that Stearns had to land before Opening Day. 

“Alonso favored the extra money in the first season of the two-year deal, betting on himself to play well enough to try out free agency again next winter,” Sammon added. “Money is an ultimate motivator. The Mets’ front office has used money as such a tool in doling out a bunch of short-term deals over the last two offseasons.”

Meanwhile, Stearns managed to keep his long-term options open with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays still on track to reach free agency following the 2025 World Series. Conversations about the Mets’ future first-base plans can be punted down the road for now, though, as teammates such as shortstop Francisco Lindor will first happily welcome the “Polar Bear” back with open arms just in time for spring training.