Update: In response to reports surfacing Wednesday about the Mets and Pete Alonso disagreeing on the length of a possible extension, Mets GM Billy Eppler released the following statement, disputing the reports:
From the Mets, this statement from Billy Eppler: “While we understand the media and public interest in player contract situations, we strongly believe in keeping those conversations private. Any circulating reports do not accurately reflect our conversations with Pete."
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) September 20, 2023
Original Post
With the 2023 season coming to an end, discussions surrounding a Pete Alonso extension have resurfaced.
Photo by Roberto Carlo
The Mets and Alonso have discussed a said extension, and according to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the two parties are disputing about the length of the contract, not the price.
In his article, Ragazzo states that Alonso is “on the same page when it comes to financials” but is asking for a 10-year deal.
Alonso will turn 29 in December, and a 10-year deal would keep the slugger a Met until he is 39. One could understand why the Mets are so hesitant to hand out a contract of that length.
For perspective, Matt Olson, who turned 29 in March, was handed an eight-year, $168 million deal by the Braves after being traded to Atlanta. Freddie Freeman (33) signed a six-year, $162 million deal.
There’s no doubt that Alonso does have the skill set to warrant a long-term deal. He is the only Met to have multiple 40-home run seasons and is fifth on the Mets’ all-time home run leaderboard (191) after only five seasons, which includes the COVID-19-shortened season.
Home run No. 45 for Pete Alonso is a three-run, game-tying shot against the Reds. pic.twitter.com/XiwRjayFTg
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 16, 2023
If Alonso wants the longest possible deal, his best chances are right now. He would be under 30 years old and still in the prime of his career, where he has clubbed at least 37 homers in every full season.
Meanwhile, Steve Cohen still has time to make a decision. Alonso isn’t a free agent until the end of the 2024 season, giving him time to leverage a deal more suitable for the organization.
It makes more sense for Alonso’s camp to settle a deal this offseason. Alonso would be 30 by the time he comes back to the table, and it’s very unlikely a first baseman/DH on the wrong side of 30 receives a long-term deal. The only two first base/DH players to receive long-term deals after 30 were Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols.
The other option would be to trade Alonso now. It was rumored the Brewers and Mets were in deep talks about a trade surrounding Alonso but nothing came to fruition. The return for a player like Alonso would net a top-100 prospect, maybe even two.
Regardless of the outcome, the Mets have an organization-altering decision to make. Trade debatably the best position player they’ve ever drafted or sign him to an extension, keeping him in Queens for life.
