Alonso Open To Contract Extension During 2024 Season

The bright lights are already on Pete Alonso this spring training. Before a single pitch has been thrown in the Grapefruit League.

The first baseman was in the middle of trade talks all winter long, mostly propagated by journalists and radio talk show hosts. Yet, as David Stearns alluded to all offseason, Alonso is donning the orange and blue, getting ready for the 2024 season in Florida.

Photo by Roberto Carlo

This hasn’t changed the core mentality surrounding the media and almost every single Mets fan, however. Will Alonso be a Met past 2024? Does Alonso want to be a lifelong Met? Are he and his camp discussing a long-term extension?

All of these questions were addressed and answered on Saturday when Alonso sat down with the media. Steve Gelbs of SNY got the first question, asking where the first baseman where he stood with the organization heading into a contract season.

“Right now I just feel really blessed that I get to be a part of this 2024 squad,” Alonso told Gelbs. “I think we have a really good team and I’m super excited to get this spring training underway. I’m really excited to be here, and playing in an iconic city like New York, I mean, it’s really a blessing. It’s a great place to play and the fans are awesome. I love it.”

Gelbs then followed with a much more important question. Does Alonso have any sort of deadline for contract extension talks? Or will the first baseman be in discussion with the Mets during the entire season? Alonso instead, deferred and mentioned that the only talks his camp had with the Mets were about a one-year deal for 2024.

“Well, for me right now, I’ve just been sitting back and listening. The only contract matter that we talked about was my one-year contract this year. Again, I’m very happy that I’m back with this squad and it’s a very exciting time in spring.”

Wanting clarification, Anthony DiComo followed a couple of questions later to ask Alonso if there was any dialogue surrounding a deal longer than one year. Alonso again stated he only discussed a one-year deal.

“Again, we sat and listened and the only thing that we talked about was the one-year deal.”

The press conference continued without Alonso stating whether or not he had a deadline for extension talks. It wouldn’t be for another couple of minutes until another member of the media pressed the issue again, this time correlating Alonso’s situation to Lindor, who signed his massive contract before opening day in 2021.

“No. For me, there’s no real standard. For me, I’m just sitting back and listening. There’s no pressure. Again, I can’t reiterate this enough, my whole focus of this spring training is to get prepared to be the best version of myself in the season. I’m gonna be as locked in as I can.”

While Alonso didn’t outright say he didn’t have a deadline, this answer surely implied it. Alonso before, and throughout the rest of the press conference stated how much he wanted to be a Met, how much he loved New York. This answer implied that Alonso is sitting and waiting, and would listen to extension offers during the 2024 season.

The consistent theme, or answer rather, was that Alonso was waiting for the Mets to come to him with a contract extension. Will Sammon of the Athletic asked Alonso if he wanted the team to come to him with a deal longer than one year, and if he and Scott Boras welcomed that discussion from the Mets.

“I know Scott (Boras) made a pun during the winter meetings but, yeah, we just sat back and listened,” Alonso answered. “We welcome conversation, it’s just the only conversation we had was about the one-year deal. But yeah, I’m stoked to be here and I’m proud to be a Met. It’s a great place to be, it’s a great fanbase. I love it here it’s great.”

Sammon followed with another question surrounding Alonso’s looming free agency. This time about whether or not Alonso would be surprised by how aggressively the team pursued him next offseason.

“Yeah, I don’t know. I haven’t really thought of those scenarios because the season isn’t over. I just had my first BP sessions. My focus this year is to be the best I can be, be as locked in as mentally and physically possible as I can be, and to help this team win.”

The almost 20-minute press conference from Alonso might not ended contract extension rumors, or delivered concrete insights and dates between the two parties, but it gave the media new insights into the discussion between Alonso, Boras, and the Mets.

Life Long Met

One important statement from the press conference was Alonso’s love for the Mets. He’s stated in the past that he loved New York, and has thought about being a life-long Met in the past, but hearing it again is soothing.

Sure, it may come back to light if Alonso chooses to leave, but it can’t be more overstated that the ball is in the Mets court. Alonso wants to be here and is intertwined with the Mets fanbase. This was reiterated today when Alonso stated his love for the city, fanbase, and organization.

Or, Alonso put it, he’s just sitting back and listening.

No Long Term Contract Discussions

In surprising fashion, the two parties didn’t discuss any long-term contract extension.

Alonso told the media that the only discussion this offseason was regarding his one-year deal for 2024. With all the buzz surrounding Alonso’s trade market, and market value compared to other All-Star first basemen this offseason, one would think the two parties at least discussed the length of the contract or a monetary number.

Contract Extension Mid-Season

The most important topic addressed in this press conference was Alonso’s willingness to sign an extension mid-season.

Alonso averted the question for half the press conference, but didn’t state he would shut down discussions mid-season.

Usually, players who have deadlines for contract extensions state them to the media. While Alonso could have an idea, or date, in mind, he didn’t shut down the conversation. As Alonso stated, he’s just sitting back and listening.

In Conclusion

Alonso’s contract extension will be in the limelight throughout the 2024 season. There’s no denying that.

But the press conference today had interesting takeaways. Alonso wants to be here long-term, loves being a Met, and doesn’t (as alluded to in the press conference) have an end date for contract discussions. He has put the ball in the Mets court, just sitting back and waiting for the Mets to come to him.

All of these points were addressed when Alonso was asked whether or not he wanted to be a part of the Mets organization beyond 2024.

“I love it here. I’ve definitely envisioned myself as a lifelong Met, that’s something I’ve definitely thought about. I love New York, it’s a really special place for myself and my family. But I can’t predict the future. For me, I want to focus on this season, be the best person I can be. I’ve sat back and listened, and I just want to be the best player I can be.”

Epilogue – Animal Shelter Charity

At the beginning of the press conference, Alonso discussed the charity work he will be doing during the 2024 season.

For every home run hit this season, the Alonso Foundation will donate $1,000 to animal rescues, with the goal of getting animals out of kill shelters.

“The Alonso Foundation this year, we’re going to be donating $1,000 per home run toward animal rescues,” said Alonso. “We’re gonna be trying to tackle the issue of getting animals out of kill shelters, were gonna be getting as many animals as possible, whether that’s paying for transports, beds, toys, blankets, the whole bit. We’re going to donate money to certain rescues to take, especially dogs, out-of-kill shelters. Hopefully, lots of home runs to come.”

Alonso also mentioned where people can go to donate money themselves to help with the cause.

“If you’re interested, log onto Alonsofoundation.org, we’re really excited about this, and hopefully we can save a lot of animals.”

You can check out the Alonso Foundation, including their current and former charity work, by clicking here.

You can also watch the press conference from earlier by clicking here.