Pete Alonso, the first baseman for the New York Mets, appears to be staying put for the time being, as indicated by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Despite this, Heyman suggests that the Mets may entertain offers for Alonso, indicating a degree of flexibility in their stance.
Currently in his sixth season with the Mets, Alonso’s performance at the plate has been somewhat lackluster, with a batting line of .218/.309/.445 across 31 games.
Playing under a one-year, $20.5 million contract, Alonso is slated to become a free agent in 2025. Heyman’s recent remarks temper an earlier report where he suggested there was a chance—albeit not high—that Alonso might be traded.
However, with Alonso’s market value estimated at a staggering $263 million over eight years, discussions surrounding his future contract raise questions about his consistency, especially considering his recent dip in performance during the 2023 season.
Alonso’s strength lies in his ability to hit home runs consistently, having reached the 40-homer mark in each of his past two seasons and already hitting eight in the current 2024 season.
Despite this, concerns linger about his strikeout rate, which has risen to 22.9 percent this season, the highest it’s been in three seasons, according to Baseball Savant. These factors contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the terms of Alonso’s next contract, which might not be a pressing issue for the Mets until the offseason.
For now, the Mets’ focus remains on their performance on the field. With a record slightly above .500 (16-15), they’re within striking distance of the NL East lead and are contenders for a postseason berth. Given their competitive position, the Mets could opt to retain Alonso even if it means risking losing him for nothing in free agency.
After falling short of the playoffs in 2023 despite a substantial payroll, the team appears inclined to make a postseason push if the opportunity arises, potentially influencing their decisions leading up to the July 30 trade deadline.
