Right now the off-season is drawing to a close and there is a shocking reality: Pete Alonso has still not locked in his home. For a player of his caliber, this turns heads. But given his age and the money he is asking for, no team wants to extend that deal. However, now that key players have already moved off the table in the first base marker, the doors for Alonso are opening up. From the Toronto Blue Jays to the Los Angeles Angels and even the Seattle Mariners are in talks with him. But everyone knows that the Mets are where most think he will end up. However that might not be the case.

Even though Pete Alonso and the Mets feel like a natural fit, the agreement hasn’t really been furthered. The latest offer is a three-year, approx $70 million deal. But amidst the doubts, it seems like the team does want him back given Mets manager Carlos Mendoza’s lovely words for Pete Alonso.

Mendoza recently said, “Look, he’s a guy that posts every day; you know he plays 162, and as a manager, that’s a good feeling to have. When you know you can count on a player that, regardless of how he’s feeling on a particular day, he’s going to go out there and give you his best. We’ll see what happens.” But that’s not all. He was also asked about how he feels about the possibility of Alonso leaving, and his answers didn’t scream happiness!

Mendoza said to SNY’s Gary Apple, “So, as a manager, do I want him back? Of course, you know, but you know, I’ll just stay out of it. I give people their space and then just wait to see what happens.” However, as far as the fishing for more by Alonso goes, he doesn’t mind. He mentioned that Alonso is still out there, and he has earned that opportunity to go there and maximize his value.

And it seems like Pete Alonso truly will not back down for anything less. He, after all, rejected a $158 million deal for seven years from the New York Mets in 2023. He wants a better deal, even in terms of calendar years and probably with player-friendly opt-outs. If the Mets can’t come to terms with that, maybe Alonso will walk off. It will be a huge loss given his performance and durability in the game.

However, while everyone is debating; it seems like Steve Cohen has closed the door to Pete Alonso close already!

Steve Cohen expresses frustration over Pete Alonso sweepstakes

Now, given the free-agent market is heating up, Alonso’s agent Scott Boras is pushing for more. This might have gotten everyone to go—WHAT? Because it’s a huge risk, and wasn’t the slow market a jump scare enough for Alonso and Boras? And Boras Five last season was a serious reality! But they want a more lucrative deal for Alonso and have asked the Mets for more money if he opts out early. This has not sat well with owner Steve Cohen, and he has expressed his frustration on Saturday.

Cohen shared his thoughts with fans, saying that the New York Mets had already offered a good offer to Alonso. A reported three-year deal between $68 million and $70 million. But Cohen said he was not pleased with how the negotiations have unfolded. “I don’t like the structures that are being presented to us. It’s very asymmetrical against us, and I’m convinced of that. I’ll never say no. There’s always a chance. But the reality is we’re moving forward,” said Cohen, highlighting the Mets might explore other options.

Cohen didn’t go into specifics regarding contract issues, of course, due to set rules. However, he said, “I don’t like negotiations. I don’t like what has been presented to us.” And if that’s the way it goes, he thinks they just have to get used to the fact that they will have to move on with the players they have now. Well, even if the Mets manager would love to have Pete Alonso, I guess that’s not really in the cards.

Do you think the Mets have, for sure, 100% moved on from Pete Alonso? Let us know your thoughts.