Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in less than a month, and Pete Alonso and the Mets are reportedly still relatively far apart in contract negotiations.
Why is it taking so long to get a deal done when the Mets need a first baseman and protection for Juan Soto, and Alonso is not getting much interest elsewhere? BT believes it is David Stearns and company waiting it out, knowing that Alonso doesn’t have many other options other than to continue bringing down his asking price.
“The Mets have every ounce of leverage. He’s stuck,” BT said. “They’re exercising their leverage. Pete’s got no juice.”
Alonso struggled in his contract season, but still managed to hit 34 home runs in a “down year” for one of the premier power hitters in baseball over the last six years.
To have this little interest around the league is surprising, but BT says there is a clear parallel to another recent contract standoff in New York.
“I don’t think it’s that different from what went down with the Giants and Saquon...and the diminishment in value of the running back,” BT said. “This has been a trend for a while at first base. If you’re a lefty like Matt Olson, it’s a little different...the first base market has become very depressed. Pete is in the crosshairs of a shift in philosophy.”
BT hasn’t been a real believer in Alonso, but even he is surprised that his market has become so depressed this winter, even after one of the least productive seasons of his career.
“It’s strange, because the uniqueness of this entire situation,” BT said. “It’s not like he’s old...is he a bad teammate? No, he’s a great guy. Is he injury prone? No, the guy plays every day...he hits bombs, and he’s a proven clutch player in New York, and it doesn’t seem like anyone wants him! It’s crazy.”