It seems that the Mets and Pete Alonso saga is not over yet! The bard negotiations between both parties and the Mets owner Steve Cohen’s frustration regarding that was enough to believe the Mets are now away from Alonso but MLB insider Jeff Passan thinks otherwise. As per him, the Mets still need Alonso and that’s what is keeping them in contention now. So what is the equation here? Do the Mets need Alonso more than Alonso needs the Mets? 

The Mets front office has not officially revealed that they are getting away from Alonso but they are also not going to offer $100 million as asked by the latter. The presence of Alonso’s agent Scott Boras is further making things worse here with his outrageous conditions coming for the teams. So what’s the exact need for the Mets to take Pete Alonso and if so, then why are they going into hard negotiations rather than agreeing to the amount?

Hard negotiations for the Mets

Hard negotiations between the Mets and Scott Boras are now becoming infamous with friendship between Cohen and Boras at stake. The contention for Alonso all started when he rejected the Mets’ qualifying offer of $70 million for three years. The Blue Jays and the Angels came onto the scene even though they are yet to confirm if they are matching the asking price of Pete Alonso. Moreover, the presence of Boras led to further terms and conditions like the Mets would owe money to Alonso if he opts out. Enough for Cohen to get frustrated!

“Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough — this is worse”, said Cohen on getting into an asymmetric position. Juan Soto’s contract is the highest in the MLB history and worse than that conveys how Boras is playing hardball with the team. Moreover, with players like Soto and Mark Vientos on the team, the Mets are surely fielding a contending squad without Alonso. So, how do the Mets still need Alonso desperately?

One of the major reasons behind the Mets still pursuing Alonso is his availability as a free agent. It was expected that the Blue Jays would sign him up but they have just poured $92.5 million for Anthony Santander, which made the case for Alonso worse. Fans are wondering if the Blue Jays have enough resources left to offer to Pete Alonso. Hence, the availability of Alonso is what makes the Mets go behind him to check if he can be picked even at the last moment. However, there are a few other points also coming in for the Mets about their need for Alonso. 

Alonso is too good to lose

Jeff Passan got a few points to justify the Mets’ need. In an interview with Michael Kay, he added, “They need him for protection in the lineup for Juan Soto, they need him because frankly they do not have a good enough offense right now, and they need him because honestly when you have a guy who has the history that Pete Alonso does with the New York Mets”. So, with the Mets having Soto in place, the rotation is still weak for them, and they are just one injury away from losing Soto from hitting. Here comes Alonso as the most effective protection for Soto. Apart from Soto, the Mets got Vientos and Braty at the bases, so the addition of an offense like Alonso is the need of the hour. 

The skillsets and experience of Pete Alonso are all aligned with the Mets but the money is what makes the hurdles. Boras’ lack of flexibility from $100 million is keeping a small scope for the Mets to counter-offer. In this case, fans can only hope that both parties find a way to ensure homecoming from Alonso. Also, apart from the Mets needing Alonso, it is Alonso, who also needs the Mets most, considering he has yet to get confirmation from any teams. 

The spring season is knocking at the door and both the Mets and Alonso have very limited time to shake hands here. And both of them coming together is what the fans are hoping for and can prove the best for both in the long run.