The novel of Pete Alonso came to an end when the New York Mets announced after a long and complex story of back-and-forth that the first baseman is staying in Queens. However, now comes a new saga about the role Alonso will play in the ninth and his ability to compete efficiently with the batting power of Juan Soto, the new jewel in the crown.
Pete Alonso’s competitive references
Regarding the dynamics with the rest of his teammates, most of whom he knows very well, it will not be a problem for Alonso, but the road is uphill for him in terms of what he can offer at 30 years old, and he will have to work twice as hard to demonstrate what comes naturally to his competitive peers, Soto, his own teammate with the Mets, or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who are 26 and 27 years old respectively.
Pete Alonso’s numbers are not exactly impressive, and regardless of his age, this plays against him, as there will always be comparisons with these players who are highly valued today, but with arguments, something that Alonso lacks. If we add to this the fact that he is below average in his position, things get even more complicated.
MLB analysts claim that Alonso negotiated quite late, as at 30 years of age, he has nothing with which to increase his value in free agency as Soto and Guerrero have done, since it is no secret that franchises play it safe and do not take the same risk for a player of his age.
Age, an insurmountable obstacle for Alonso
Jim Bowden for CBS Sports said: “Based on all their algorithms and all the analysis, clubs are nervous about players who are 31 years old and especially power hitters. If you hit the market at 25, 26 or 27, you’re going to get the years and you’re going to get the dollars,” he said rightly and bluntly.
But make no mistake, neither Soto nor Guerrero are perfect and have their areas of opportunity, one in the outfield and the other at first base, however, their age plays in their favor, while Alonso’s problems are accumulating and are aggravated by his one-dimensional defensive profile, so he only has to speak, or rather shout with the bat in the campaign that will begin on March 18.
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