In 2019, Tim Anderson infamously said that baseball is boring. But that statement seems to be far from the truth now, especially with all the off-season drama. This year, the spotlight is on Scott Boras and Mets GM David Stearns. Yes, the standoff between Boras, Stearns, and Pete Alonso has been making headlines. Alonso, the premier slugger, entered the off-season with sky-high expectations. This was fueled by Boras’ reputation for securing blockbuster deals. However, David might have little interest in shaking Boras’ hands.

As the dust settles, it is Alonso who finds himself caught in the ego battle. While the Mets try to shape their roster amidst such a polarizing dilemma, what does this mean for Alonso’s future? The drama is igniting larger concerns in the present scenario.

The Pete Alonso dilemma

Pete Alonso has proven himself as MLB’s premier power hitter. He delivered a three-run homer in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the Mets’ National League Wild Card Series, securing the team’s win over the Brewers. Alonso also drove in 10 RBIs during the postseason. Effectively, the Polar Bear became only the second Met to play in all 162 regular-season games. In addition, the homegrown player was drafted in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. It is also tough to ignore the unforgettable links between Alonso and the fans, specifically after the Home Run Derby crowns. Such a legendary win supports Scott Boras’ expectations, don’t you think?

 

But the current market could not support such lofty needs. As an outcome, Pete Alonso’s future with the Mets has become more uncertain. David Stearns, who Tiki has highlighted as a “killer”, has displayed a fearless approach. The Mets GM identifies that paying top dollar with limited defensive versatility is risky. He is thinking of replacing Alonso by shifting Mark Vientos from third base to first. Frankly, it is a thornier situation for Alonso. Moreover, he reportedly rejected a seven-year, $158 million extension with an expectation to earn more on the open market. And the turmoil continues…

Stearns vs. Boras, the fight of wills

What makes

Scott Boras so confident? Well, he has cracked some of the largest deals in baseball history. For instance, Bryce Harper’s $330 million deal with the Phillies, Corey Seager’s $325 million contract with the Rangers, and Gerrit Cole’s $324 million deal with the New York Yankees. He has also made history with draft picks and secured the largest bonus at $8 million for Gerrit Cole in 2011. Wait, there is more. He negotiated the largest high school bonus at $7.5 million for Bubba Starling. Boras strategically asks his players to wait for free agency instead of taking “hometown discounts”. Contradictorily, David Stearns is the epitome of a modern baseball executive, unwilling to enable personal links to cloud his financial decisions.

As the impasse drags on, the focus shifts to which team Pete Alonso could land. Multiple clubs have shown their interest including the Chicago Cubs. While they try to sign him, they are being mindful of the payroll limits. If the Cubs want to sign Pete Alonso, they would likely need to part with other top talents to make the deal happen. In addition, MLB insider MoccBomb reported that Alonso and the Blue Jays “share mutual interest” in signing a deal.

However, this news has left fans divided. One fan showed excitement, “We wait. Hopefully, Alonso is a Blue Jay.” On the contrary, another fan reacted with “You just ruined my day.” 

There is no denying that Pete Alonso has potential. He has proved himself multiple times. But, teams are hesitant to fulfill the terms Boras is pushing for. If a trade were to happen, it would likely require a team to give up significant assets, but for now, the negotiation remains at a standstill.

What do you think awaits in Pete Alonso’s future? The comment box is open!