The New York Mets began the season as one of Major League Baseball’s hottest teams, boasting a strong 45-24 record, the best in the league at that point.
But now, their recent 6-0 loss to the Miami Marlins marked their sixth consecutive defeat, ultimately knocking the Mets out of playoff contention.
Despite the harsh downturn, the Mets still linger near the playoff race, a rare feat considering they are the only team in MLB history with three separate losing streaks of seven or more games and still remain in contention this late in the season, according to Opta Stats.
The spotlight now shines brightest on the Mets‘ star first baseman, Pete Alonso, whose future with the team is becoming the focal point of the offseason narrative.
Alonso acknowledged the pressure surrounding the team’s struggles. “There’s a high sense of urgency every single day, because it’s the big leagues and you’ve got to do whatever you can to win games every day.”
His comments also hinted at uncertainty about his long-term commitment. “It would be great to stay. But, again, whatever happens, happens. I can’t get a crystal ball. I wish I could, but we’ll see.”
This ambiguity has intensified scrutiny on David Stearns, the Mets President of Baseball Operations, who now faces mounting pressure to secure Alonso‘s future before free agency. WFAN host Joe Benigno reminded fans of the franchise’s history of mishandling star players, urging the organization to avoid repeating past mistakes.
“They’ve let everybody walk… they let Darryl Strawberry walk in 1990, they let Daniel Murphy walk, they traded Zack Wheeler, they traded David Cone,” Benigno said.
“They better freaking sign Alonso. They better not do the same thing that they did with Strawberry with Alonso.”
The high stakes of signing Pete Alonso : A must for the Mets?
The consequences of losing Alonso would be severe. Not only is he a fan favorite, but his production is elite: 124 RBIs, 40 doubles, and 37 home runs this season alone.
Benigno stressed the urgency, highlighting that the market for Alonso will be far more aggressive this year. “I’ve heard the Astros are interested. I’ve heard the Reds are interested. You better sign him and you better sign Díaz too.”
This warning carries even more weight when considering the New York Yankees‘ need at first base.
While players like Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice have filled the position, their combined .728 OPS pales compared to Alonso‘s .876 mark. His power and consistency would provide a significant boost to the Yankees’ lineup, easing pressure on sluggers like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
With Goldschmidt on a one-year contract, the Yankees could make a compelling offer to lure Alonso away from the cross-town rivals.
Benigno foresees a bidding war brewing, saying the Yankees “will pounce and make a serious offer” this offseason if the Mets delay.
Losing Alonso to the Yankees would not only be a blow to the roster but would send a damaging message about the Mets‘ ambitions and organizational direction.
For David Stearns and the New York Mets, the clock is ticking.
Securing Pete Alonso‘s future could be the key to salvaging hope for the franchise. Failure to act swiftly risks a seismic shift in New York baseball, with profound consequences for both teams and their fanbases.
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