Buckle up, New York Mets fans, because the saga of Pete Alonso’s almost snuffed-out contract is about to hit warp speed. A recent survey by The Athletic revealed a fanbase with a clear message for ownership: pony up for our slugger or prepare for tears (and, let’s be honest, boos of epic proportions).
Over 55% of respondents declared they want the Queens to “pay whatever it takes” to keep Alonso a Met for life. That’s a resounding vote of confidence for the polar bear-brawling, dinger-launching first baseman. Think about it: this is a fanbase still nursing the wounds of consecutive playoff misses, yet they’re ready to hand Alonso a blank check. That’s love, folks, the Mets kind of love. But there’s a little snag the Queens have to overcome to make their fans’ wishes come true.
3000 Mets fans deliver a verdict on Pete Alonso’s future: Pay him, or they’ll cry!
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Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, is the Pied Piper of free agency, and he’s unlikely to settle for chump change. The team already signed Alonso for a year-long extension of $14.5 million in 2023, and it didn’t help them much. So, while over 49% of the 3000 responses confess they’d be “devastated” if Alonso wasn’t in orange and blue post-2024 free agency, there’s a hint of pragmatism too. Over 44% would be merely “mildly disappointed,” and 6% even chimed in with a blasé “happy to move on.”
First baseman Pete Alonso and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year, $14.5 million contract to avoid arbitration, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. It's the largest number ever for a 1B in arb. Alonso will go through once more before free agency after 2024.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 14, 2023
That last 6% might be Mets masochists, or maybe they’re envisioning a future where the team rebuilds around Alonso’s BFF, Jeff McNeil, who locked down a cozy four-year extension of $50 million himself back in January 2023. McNeil, by the way, is on record with Foul Territory for saying he wants Alonso by his side “for a long time.” Talk about a bromance that could fuel a World Series run, right?
But don’t get ahead of yourselves, Mets fans. Whispers of a pre-season trade are swirling, despite General Manager David Stearns insisting Alonso will be on Opening Day. Let’s be real, though: trading Alonso before he cracks another 40-homer season would be like taking away the cheese from a grilled cheese sandwich. Sure, you could technically eat it, but what’s the point?
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So, here’s the verdict: Mets fans want Alonso, and they want him badly. The ball’s in Steve Cohen’s court, and the fans are waiting with bated breath (and maybe a few tissues, just in case).
Remember, this is New York. We do love stories, but we also love happy endings. And for Mets fans, the only happily ever after involves Pete Alonso launching dingers into the Citi Field twilight for years to come. And there are several other factors at play that should make it happen.
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Mets at a crossroads: Extend Alonso or embrace the unknown?
Pete Alonso’s bat may crack like thunder, but the Mets face a lightning-charged decision: extend him or risk losing their power prince. It’s a tempting gamble—Alonso’s a home-run factory, and other homegrown heroes like Darryl Strawberry and David Wright fuel fan fervor. But a hefty contract could become an anchor, weighing down a team chasing a championship. Plus, Father Time waits for a no-hitter—Alonso’s 40-homer magic might fade with age. He’s already 29 years old.
Letting go stings, but The Athletic says that the freed-up millions could build a balanced squad, not just a one-man show. Imagine that instead of chasing mammoth deals, the Mets invest in pitching gems and slick gloves. It’s a high-stakes gamble, yes, but a calculated swing towards a sustainable future.
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Read More: MLB Contracts: When Is the Deadline for Arbitration Agreements Between Teams and Players?
Who knows? It might not be Alonso’s dingers echoing in Citi Field, but the roar of a World Series crowd. The clock’s ticking, Mets. Time to choose: embrace the familiar pop of Pete Alonso’s bat or gamble on the symphony of a well-rounded team?