Has Scott Boras lost his charm? His client Pete Alonso is still unsigned and the talks are going nowhere. Undeniably, Scott Boras is the most influential agent in MLB history. Starting with relatively obscure clients like Manny Trillo, Boras quickly made a name for himself by securing groundbreaking contracts for stars like Greg Maddux and Kevin Brown.  

However, it was his representation of Alex Rodriguez that catapulted him to legendary status—negotiating the largest sports contract ever at the time, a $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers in 2000. Boras didn’t stop there, continuously breaking his own records with contracts that seemed unfathomable before his intervention. Then what’s happening with Pete Alonso?

Scott Boras’ magic is not working for Pete Alonso and the Mets

Scott Boras is a master of playing the long game. And he is doing just the same in the case of Pete Alonso. According to Just Baseball, Boras has a reputation for bypassing general managers and going straight to the owners when the situation calls for it, and it’s clear he expected Steve Cohen to eventually step in and throw an offer that would make Boras’ client extremely happy. Cohen’s reputation for signing big-name players, like when he swooped in to land Juan Soto, has made him Boras’ ideal target for a deal that benefits his client.  

While Cohen might have made some noise on the margins, it’s Billy Eppler’s successor, David Stearns, who’s been calling the shots in the Alonso talks, keeping a tight rein on negotiations. Stearns isn’t the type to get caught up in bidding wars or pay more than necessary. That’s exactly what led to this. If Boras misjudged the Mets’ resolve, or if Stearns stays firm in his position, Pete Alonso’s future with the team may be in jeopardy.  

What If Pete Alonso isn’t in the picture for the Mets? 

Mark Vientos’ position change might be the most practical way to close this gap. The Mets feel comfortable moving him from third base to first, even though it’s not the best scenario. Vientos has played first base 84 times in both the Major Leagues and the Minor Leagues. So even if it’s not a completely new position for him, there are some concerns. 

First base is a position that demands good hands and range. Vientos has not really excelled in these roles previously. If Swaggy V can hit a level comparable to Alonso, the Mets might agree to the defensive trade-off. Of course, Vientos wouldn’t be alone in the competition for a spot on the mound. Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuña all bring upside to the table, with Baty especially seen as the future at the hot corner.  

The scenario has been complicated even more with offseason acquisitions Luis De Los Santos and Jared Young. Although Jeff McNeil is probably going to stay at second base for the foreseeable future, his versatility gives the Mets some options. Overall, it’s not the ideal scenario—Mark Vientos has demonstrated enough ability to establish himself at third. And the Mets might be able to come up with a solution even without Alonso’s involvement if they combine young guys and seasoned players. Thoughts?