Mets fans will likely have Pete Alonso fears realized

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns strongly hinted in early February that All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso will not sign a contract extension anytime soon and, thus, will reach free agency after the upcoming season. 

Stearns essentially confirmed that information while speaking with reporters on Monday. 

"That's probably the most likely outcome," Stearns acknowledged about Alonso playing through a contract year, as shared by The Associated Press (h/t ESPN). 

Alonso hired Scott Boras as his new agent shortly after the 2023 regular season ended. The AP noted that Boras "usually encourages players to maximize value by testing the open market," advice Alonso seems likely to follow. 

"Look, when you have a really talented player, who's really good, who's entering his final year of club control, who happens to be represented by Scott Boras, these things generally end up into free agency and we understand that," Stearns explained. "This is an organization that's dealt with that before with really good players and has ended up in a perfectly fine spot."

Stearns reiterated that the Mets "expect to compete for a playoff spot and have exciting baseball at Citi Field in September and October." Such comments should eliminate any talk about the club possibly shopping Alonso ahead of Opening Day, but numerous insiders have speculated that the Mets could make the slugger available ahead of this summer's trade deadline if New York has a losing record after the All-Star break. 

Mets owner Steve Cohen signed off on a fire sale last year that included acquiring prospects for big-name talents such as co-aces Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. On Monday, Stearns sounded committed to the club getting the most out of Alonso through at least all of the 2024 campaign. 

"I have not seen Pete here yet, haven't talked to him here yet, but what we're going to talk about is, look, let's go out and have a great year together," Stearns added. "You go out, have a great year. Let's have a great year as a team, and if we do that we're both going to be set up, the organization and Pete, are going to be set up very well going into the offseason."

Cohen possesses the funds needed to outbid any other owner for Alonso's services assuming the 29-year-old hits the open market after the World Series. The "Polar Bear" could, however, make Cohen and fans sweat later in the year if it's true that he has at least some interest in featuring for a different team such as the Chicago Cubs or New York Yankees.