New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns joked throughout an look on Wednesday’s version of the “Foul Territory” program that he’d set one thing up “tomorrow” concerning the re-signing of All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso.
Stearns later indicated that Alonso will attain free company after the upcoming MLB season.
“Pete is a very good participant,” Stearns defined, in response to Ryan Chichester of Audacy. “He’s carried out on an enormous stage right here for a very long time…I understand how vital he’s to our fanbase. I feel the place we’re proper now, the place Pete is, is everyone seems to be gonna deal with this yr. The most effective factor for us is for Pete to have an important yr. The most effective factor for Pete is for Pete to have an important yr. After which we’ll go ahead from there.”
Stearns formally joined the Mets shortly after the 2023 common season concluded and earlier than it was discovered that Alonso had hired Scott Boras as his new agent.
Stories all through the winter have repeatedly suggested the 29-year-old will play in a contract yr until he surprisingly presents the Mets some form of low cost to commit his future to the one MLB residence he is identified throughout his 5 campaigns within the massive leagues.
“We’re definitely invested in making an attempt to maintain Pete a Met,” Stearns added in the course of the dialog. “I’m hopeful that, over time, we’ll be capable to work that out.”
It was beforehand reported that Stearns and Mets proprietor Steve Cohen each notice the membership buying and selling Alonso at any level earlier than or in the course of the 2024 marketing campaign can be “unpopular” amongst followers.
That actuality together with the truth that Stearns believes the Mets can compete for a playoff spot this yr suggests the “Polar Bear” is not going wherever anytime quickly.
Nevertheless, followers understandably have questions on how Stearns and Cohen might view Alonso’s long-term future if the membership is close to the underside of the division standings across the All-Star break.
Cohen signed off on a fire sale to amass prospects final summer time, and ESPN’s Paul Hembekides mentioned in January that Stearns “by no means prioritized” first base throughout his eight seasons as an government with the Milwaukee Brewers.