Despite making his third All-Star Game appearance in 2023, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has indicated that he has no plans to offer first baseman Pete Alonso a new contract.
Cohen stated on Sunday, via SNY-TV in New York, “We haven’t had any discussion, and I think at this point, for Pete, it’s best for him to go and have a great year and not be distracted. I think it’s best for the ball club.”
Alonso, aged 29, currently holds a one-year, $20.5 million deal and will be eligible for free agency in the offseason.
According to Spotrac, the Mets already boast the second-highest payroll in baseball at $283.8 million and exceed the estimated luxury tax threshold of $237 million. The team paid a record $101 million in luxury tax in 2023.
Nevertheless, the decision not to extend Alonso carries inherent risks, as he would undoubtedly draw significant interest from other teams if he were to enter free agency. In his five seasons with New York, Alonso, the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year, has compiled impressive statistics, including a .251 batting average, 192 home runs, 498 RBI, and a .870 OPS.
Last autumn, Alonso hired Scott Boras as his agent, who typically advises clients to leverage their free-agent rights to secure the best possible deals.
Steve Cohen says the Mets have not had any discussions with Pete Alonso about an extension:
"We know how to do this, we did it with Edwin, we did it with Brandon. We'll figure it out when we get there." pic.twitter.com/BnQk1bRu52
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 17, 2024
Cohen asserts that he maintains a positive relationship with Boras and is unconcerned about the possibility of losing Alonso. He cited the club’s successful contract negotiations with pitcher Edwin Diaz (five years, $102 million) and outfielder Brandon Nimmo (eight years, $162 million) in 2022 as evidence of their ability to navigate such situations.
“We know how to do this,” Cohen stated. “We did it with Edwin. We did it with Brandon after the season, and so we’ll figure it out when we get there.”
Nevertheless, it would be prudent for the Mets to make efforts to retain Alonso, who has been a standout performer on a team that has failed to meet expectations during his tenure. New York has only reached the postseason once during Alonso’s time with the organization.
