The New York Mets held their first winter fan event in five years at Citi Field on Saturday, and there was one notable absence, as first baseman Pete Alonso was not present, having failed to reach an agreement with the franchise.
Alonso was absent for the first time since the 2016 draft as he remains a free agent this offseason, and the first baseman may have played his last game with the franchise, ESPN reported.
Mets miss Alonso
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was one of the many, if not all, who noticed and missed the presence of one of the team’s leaders.
“Pete has been here since I have,” said Lindor, who has been a fixture with the Queens team since 2021. “He was here before me. So, yes, it would be different if he went somewhere else. Yes, it would be different, but I think he should take his time and I think he should make the best decision for himself and not feel rushed.”
Alonso and third baseman Alex Bregman are the two best position players remaining on the free agent market. Alonso, represented by Scott Boras, originally sought a long-term deal, but is open to returning to the Mets on a three-year deal with opt-out options, according to a source.
The Mets have been open to such a deal, but the stumbling block has been the money.
“I would love to see Pete back with us, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “And that’s between Pete and our front office and David Stearns and Steve Cohen. And from what I understand, there have been a lot of conversations between them. I’m still hopeful that we’ll sign him.”
Nimmo, who is also represented by Boras, signed an eight-year, $162 million contract to remain with the Mets two seasons ago. He is the longest-tenured player on the roster, having made his debut in 2016.
“I don’t think they’re trying to speed up the process,” Nimmo said. “When you get to free agency, it’s a privilege to be able to go through that, and it’s not a decision you want to take lightly or try to rush. So there’s a lot of talk beforehand about how you want to approach meetings and situations, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, then there’s no reason to rush.”
Pete Alonso, a fan favorite in Queens
Alonso, 30, became a fan favorite with the Mets, and at the same time became a cornerstone of the franchise during his six seasons in Queens.
He has hit 226 home runs since making his MLB debut, the second-highest total, behind only Aaron Judge. His 53 home runs in 2019 are a record for a rookie.
He has been a reliable everyday presence; he has never missed more than nine games in a season and played in all 178 games, postseason included, in 2024. He has been part of four All-Star teams and won the Home Run Derby twice.
Read the full article here
