Evan & Tiki: Who is to blame for Mets, Pete Alonso likely going separate ways?

With the Mets seemingly heading towards a backup plan to Pete Alonso, the Evan and Tiki crew debated which side is more to blame for things not working out with New York and its homegrown slugger.

Of course, there is still a chance that Alonso returns, but assuming he doesn't, Tiki is placing the blame at Alonso's feet.

"I'm pissed at Pete Alonso," Tiki said. "Pete Alonso got convinced, talked into, firing his agent and hiring Scott Boras so he can be one of the highest players in baseball. I'm sure someone convinced him that was true. When you do something like that, he's not realizing that, as great as he is and what New York fans viewed him as, he's not Juan Soto or Aaron Judge. He's not the elite of the elite.

"He got talked into doing something stupid. So, I blame Pete."

Evan agrees that Alonso and Boras share some blame for their expectations on what they believe Alonso should be paid, but the Mets should be getting some heat as well, especially if Alonso signs elsewhere for an amount similar to what they would have paid the first baseman.

"Pete Alonso done screwed up. Two years ago, he was offered a long-term contract from the Billy Eppler Mets and he said no," Evan said. "He changed agents, hired Scott Boras...and he has failed Pete Alonso. But my issue with the Mets right now is not that their offer was bad...a three-year, $68 million contract is basically the same offer they made two years ago, minus the years. It's the same AAV...it's not that it's a terrible contract...my issue is, if you're in marriage counselling and you're far off on what will make him or her happy, do you just walk away before it's over? Because this is not over? If Pete Alonso can't get more than what the Mets are offering, then how should he not be a New York Met?

"I don't like the idea of them walking away from this. I think, right now, as it stands today, Scott Boras and Pete Alonso are being unreasonable. They're asking for things that don't exist, that are not in the market...but if you're the Mets, the door always needs to be slightly open. Even if they sign Tanner Scott or Kirby Yates."