Pete Alonso is like a puzzle sitting on a table right now because no one seems to know where he fits. For the longest time, everyone thought that Scott Boras was playing the waiting game and Alonso would most likely sign with the New York Mets. After all, he is a fan favorite, too, right? Well, everyone was wrong! Seems like the reality is different, and Jon Heyman mentioned there is a sizable gap between the Met’s offer and Alonso’s demand.

Turns out that was an understatement coming from Heyman. Because news has surfaced that the Mets offered Alonso $90 million. The amount that Pete Alonso and Boras put forth was north of $200 million. Given that the difference is huge, the negotiations have kind of hit a wall. The Mets have been linked with Alex Bregman for quite a while, but it turns out he isn’t the only person they focused on. Newsday’s Tim Healey delivered the belated rumor that the Mets had approached Teoscar Hernández before he headed to LA.

Mets prioritize others in off-season

Actions speak louder than words, and the Mets pursuing Teoscar Hernandez says a lot about their priorities. Tim Healey mentioned that the Mets offered Hernandez a two-year deal this week. But well, Hernandez chose to wear the Dodger blue and opted for a three-year, $66 million contract. The Mets going after the Dodger star just highlights, that Alonso isn’t the Mets’ only priority now. But not all hope is lost for Polar Bear!

Jon Heyman did mention that while power hitter markets are fewer right now, Alonso has some teams interested in him. Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays are potential landing spots that Heyman mentioned. But let’s highlight the elephant in the room: the number Alonso has set. The $200 million number is extremely high for a first baseman with less defensive engagement. So it’s unlikely that Pete Alonso would get what he is asking. Plus, the hitters’ free agent market isn’t handing out the hefty contracts. The $66 million Hernandez got is a proof of that. So Alonso might have to bend the knee on this one.

Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernandez rejecting the offer isn’t that surprising. Not only because he wanted to remain a Dodger but also because he didn’t fit in with the New York Mets. With a lineup with Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, and Starling Marte already crowding the outfield, Teo avoided getting caught in positional juggling. Teoscar Hernandez chose to thrive in the Dodger lineup that is anchored by NL MVP Shohei Ohtani.

Alonso warned about Scott Boras

Pete Alonso was meant to go to the Mets, and so was Alex Bregman, who was meant to go to the Houston Astros. But they both find themselves lost in the market. The one thing they have in common is their agent, Scott Boras. Now Boras is the same agent that made that incredible $765 million deal of Soto happen. But he hasn’t been able to extend the same service to the positional players. It’s almost like history is repeating itself because this isn’t the first time Boras’ clients are having a hard time.

Just in 2023, Boras clients like Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, and Jordan Montgomery all ended up signing low deals. They waited too long, and the market closed in. Not only that, some even faced performance issues. SNY’s Heating Up the Stove panel’s John Jastremski recently warned Alonso about Scott Boras. “Look at what happened to Jordan Montgomery last year. That’s exhibit A. If I’m a client, if I’m a prospective free agent, I don’t want to be waiting in March or April figuring out where I’m playing baseball. Even Snell, who rounded into form in the second half of the year, got off to a rocky start.” Jastremski urged Alonso to make sure Boras helped him secure a deal soon.

Scott Boras is known to play the long game, but it seems like the tactic is something most teams are aware of now. Maybe Pete Alonso needs to sit and reassess his options. What do you think?