As the offseason unfolds for the New York Mets, one big question remains for the team: the contract status of their All-Star first baseman. Pete Alonso has been the face of the Mets since he first stepped into the big leagues in 2019. He’s led all of baseball in home runs from 2019 onwards and is one of the best overall hitters in the game. Alonso is now eligible for a contract extension and will enter free agency after the 2024 season. There were rumors of a possible Alonso trade, but that seems off the table this offseason. Regarding a contract extension, it seems the two sides haven’t met on the matter.
Per Tim Healey of Newsday, a source has told him the Mets and Alonso have not yet discussed a contract extension. Alonso made a big move after the season ended by hiring Scott Boras as his agent. Boras was at the Winter Meetings and said they were “all ears” on an extension from the Mets. A few weeks ago, Boras said they were not in “contract hibernation.” Based on that, Boras has essentially admitted the two sides haven’t discussed a contract yet, but that doesn’t mean talks won’t happen at some point. Boras, Alonso, and the Mets want to get a deal done.
This kind of deal can usually happen shortly before or during the spring. Look at Francisco Lindor‘s contract extension for example. That got done the day before Opening Day. Jacob deGrom‘s extension for the Mets back in 2019 happened during Spring Training. Alonso is coming off a 46 home run and 118 RBI season in 2023. He has hit 35 home runs or more in every 162-game season. In the shortened 2020 season, he hit 16 home runs, which was on pace for 30 or more in a full season. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has repeatedly reiterated that Alonso will be the Opening Day first baseman in 2024. Until the contract does get done, speculation will remain about Alonso’s long-term future with the Mets.
