Ex-MLB GM Reminds Why Pete Alonso Is Unwilling to Fire Scott Boras Despite Mets’ Negotiation Disaster

The New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has been one of the biggest busts of the offseason. Now most of the players have signed and will begin practicing in spring training, but he has yet to lock down a home. Wondering if he will make it back to the Mets? Well, after what went down in the Mets fan fest, it’s hard to see that happening. Steve Cohen, the Mets owner, literally mentioned that the Alonso deal was exhausting. So much so that even Juan Soto’s deal was simple for him, which was for $765 million. And that’s telling of the situation right now.

Fans were left shouting, “We want Pete” at the fan-fest. But alas, the door is slowly closing. Cohen mentioned that he didn’t like the terms that were presented to him. Steve Cohen wants an opt-out option and an option for payout too. Everyone pointed a finger at Boras and how Pete should fire him. News also came about how Alonso is not happy with this drift. However, it seems like Alonso is not ready to go to such lengths. Shocked? Jim Bowden reveals exactly why- he broke down the Boras strategy!

Jim Bowden breaks down Boras’ playbook

Just two days back, Ben Nicholson-Smith reported, “A source said MLB agents have recently been informed they cannot contact Pete Alonso. This would have to be initiated by Alonso himself.” This is because Alonso wants to keep continuing his work with agent or super agent Scott Boras. All without hearing from different agents looking to poach him. Jim Bowden recently explained Scott Boras’s strategy, which just explains why Alonso wouldn’t want to fire him.

Jim Bowden explains that he knows Boras’s strategy. “He’s predictable in how he thinks and how he goes through his process,” Bowden explained that Boras always aims to break contract records. But since this isn’t possible with Alonso, whether in years, money, or AVV, the solution has to be creative. “You have to give him a pathway to get the original contract he turned down or the long-term deal he thought he’d get. So how do you do that? Give the player a short-term deal with an opt-out and a high AAV upfront. Then, when he opts out, he secures the big money on his second or third contract—just like he did with Blake Snell.”

With Blake Snell, Boras had tried a six-year, $175 million deal. However, that didn’t happen, so Boras okayed the contract with the Giants for one year, $32 million, without an out. Later, Snell did opt out and now signed with LA for $139 million. So his total earnings over six years are 4171 million, nearly what Boras had wanted. Alonso seems to believe in Boras’s long game and that it will eventually work out.

Pete Alonso and the Mets- a necessary union?

On the Michael Kay Show, ESPN’s Jeff Passan made it clear—Pete Alonso and the Mets need each other. The four-time All-Star has little interest in playing on a non-championship-worthy team. And Passan thinks the others who are interested, like the Blue Jays and Angels, simply don’t cut it right now as winning teams. “Pete Alonso doesn’t want to go play on a team that’s not going to be in contention…”. It’s time to start winning. It’s time to get a ring. You’re not getting a ring with the Angels, probably not even a playoff spot with the Blue Jays.”

Passan mentioned that for the New York Mets, having Alonso in the lineup is great. This is because, with him, they are threats to the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. Without Alonso, they are the third-best team, is what Passan warned. But given that Alonso and Boras are not ready to bend the knee, how can the Mets get this deal done? Jim Bowden mentioned it’s all about the structure. “Steve Cohen and David Stearns need to front-load the contract, accept the opt-out, and maybe even include a small payout at opt-out—just like they did with Snell. That will get the deal done!”

For now, it’s a waiting game to see who exactly blinks first. Where do you think Alonso will sign? Let us know!