It looks like the writing is on the wall MLB fans. The Pete Alonso era with the Mets may officially be winding down.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets are preparing for a team without the Polar Bear, shifting their focus to other roster needs after contract talks reportedly hit a wall.
It’s not what anyone wanted to hear, but Alonso’s time in New York seems nearing its conclusion.
Contract Talks Break Down
After hitting an impasse on a long-term extension, the two sides recently shifted gears toward a shorter-term deal.
According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, Alonso’s camp, led by the Boras Corporation, proposed a three-year deal with a high annual salary and multiple opt-out clauses.
The Mets countered with their own three-year offer, reportedly in the $68-70 million range, but it wasn’t enough to seal the deal. Sammon noted that the team was open to slightly sweetening the pot but not to the extent Alonso’s camp sought.
For comparison, Cody Bellinger snagged an $80 million frontloaded deal from the Cubs last winter, so you can imagine Pete Alonso had a higher number in mind.
Mets Plan for Life Without Pete Alonso
So, where does that leave the Mets? Well, they’re not completely empty-handed—they just re-signed Jesse Winker on a $7.5 million deal to fill a bench role or DH slot.
If Alonso indeed walks, it looks like Mark Vientos might shift to first base, leaving third base to a battle royale between Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuña.
The Mets have some depth to work with, but losing Pete Alonso is no small hole to fill in the middle of the lineup.
Mets Shift Focus to the Bullpen
Meanwhile, the team seems to have turned its attention to fortifying the bullpen.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the Mets are now “heavily focused” on relief help, with Tanner Scott—a top free-agent lefty—emerging as a key target.
Scott’s ability to handle high-leverage situations and dominate left-handed hitters makes him a natural fit alongside Edwin Díaz.
And let’s face it, with Danny Young as the only southpaw currently in the bullpen, adding another lefty is almost a necessity.
What’s next for Pete Alonso?
The Blue Jays are reportedly still in the mix, according to The Athletic, though it’s unclear whether they’re pursuing a short-term deal or something more substantial.
Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio suggested last week that Alonso’s three-year offer—with those juicy opt-outs—was exclusive to the Mets in hopes of staying in Queens.
Whether he’s open to a longer-term deal elsewhere remains to be seen, but it’s hard to imagine he won’t find suitors willing to meet his price.
Mets fans are left to brace for a future without one of the franchise’s cornerstone players. It’s tough to say goodbye, especially to a guy who’s been such a force for this team, but this is the reality of baseball in the modern era.
If Pete Alonso does leave, all eyes will be on the Mets’ next move—and whether they can keep pace in what promises to be an ultra-competitive NL East.
