First baseman Pete Alonso is set to continue his career with the New York Mets after agreeing to a two-year deal worth $54 million. The contract includes a $10 million signing bonus and an opt-out option after the first year, which guarantees him a $20 million salary.
Alonso has expressed his desire to remain with the Mets throughout the 2024 season and into the future. However, despite his eagerness, the agreement reached comes after a year marked by performance struggles for the player. In the previous season, Alonso recorded a batting average of .240 with 34 home runs, a dip from his usual standards. This decline has raised concerns about his market value, particularly given his age and defensive performance.
Negotiations between Alonso, his agent Scott Boras, and the Mets were reportedly challenging. Mets owner Steve Cohen publicly voiced his frustrations over the drawn-out process, describing it as an “exhausting conversation.” Ultimately, Alonso and his agent decided to accept a shorter contract rather than hold out for a longer-term deal, as an opportunity arose for a better offer.
Despite the challenges during negotiations, Alonso had a three-year deal worth $71 million on the table but opted for the two-year contract. This decision reflects his confidence in turning his performance around and potentially commanding a more lucrative deal in the future.
Having debuted in 2019 after being selected in the 2016 MLB Draft, Alonso quickly made a name for himself, hitting 53 home runs in his rookie season, the highest in baseball at the time. Over the years, his performance has fluctuated, but he has maintained a career batting line of .249/.339/.514. While Alonso has delivered impressive power numbers, his on-base percentages have also shown inconsistencies over time.
Nonetheless, one of Alonso’s key strengths is his durability. He has played in no fewer than 152 games during any full season and managed to compete in 57 out of 60 games during the shortened 2020 season. The Mets will rely on his robust health as they look forward to the upcoming seasons.
With Alonso’s signing, the Mets are bolstering their lineup, which has seen significant enhancements during the offseason. Joining Alonso in the lineup will be star players like Juan Soto, who signed a 15-year contract reportedly worth $765 million. Soto’s addition is expected to strengthen the middle of the Mets’ lineup for many years to come.
The projected lineup for the Mets could look like this:
1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Pete Alonso, 1B
4. Mark Vientos, 3B
5. Brandon Nimmo, LF
6. Jesse Winker, DH
7. Francisco Alvarez, C
8. Jeff McNeil, 2B
9. Jose Siri, CF
Additionally, the team is exploring options in the outfield with players like Starling Marte and Tyrone Taylor, while Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña could feature in the infield.
The Mets have not only focused on their batting order; they are also rebuilding their pitching staff. Significant signings include starting pitchers Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas, and Griffin Canning. In the bullpen, the Mets welcomed left-hander A.J. Minter and brought back Ryne Stanek, aiming to enhance their overall pitching strength.
Last season, the Mets achieved an impressive 89 wins and made it to the National League Championship Series, where they were narrowly defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a strong performance last year, the Mets are focusing on strengthening their roster to compete even more effectively moving forward.
With Alonso back in the fold, the Mets are led into what looks to be an important season, hoping not just for individual achievements but also for team success in a highly competitive league. The franchise and its fans remain optimistic about the upcoming season, especially with the mix of established stars and new talent, making the Mets a team to watch in the league.
