According to former MLB general manager Jim Duquette, Pete Alonso’s camp has come to the Mets with a three-year deal with opt outs, and only made the deal available to New York.
Earlier reports indicated that the Mets had offered Soto a three-year deal worth $90 million, and Sal Licata says it’s time to finish the job and bring Alonso back to beef up the middle of the order around Juan Soto.
“Good, get it done. I’m sure it’s for more money than three years $90 million,” Sal said. “But just get it done and move forward with Pete protecting Juan Soto in the lineup.
“Ultimately, just get the guy in the freaking lineup for this year.”
Brandon Tierney’s instant reaction to the news was that Alonso isn’t looking great in his first time through free agency, and wonders if he is losing negotiating power by the day.
“I’ve always respected Pete,” BT said. “This is the first time I’m like, where’s the pride?
“The Mets are playing this very well...they’re saying the right things and doing the right things, because they’re letting the market come to them.”
Sal agrees that the Mets seemingly have all the power in these negotiations, and if Duquette’s report is accurate, it only reinforces that reality.
“To come to the Mets and say ‘this is only available to you,’ do you think Stearns is an idiot?” Sal said. “‘Only for you.’ So now Pete conveniently, after changing agencies and turning down deals, now he’s gonna give the Mets a discount? It’s nonsense...what it’s meant to do is put pressure on the Mets to get it done.”