According to reports, the Mets and Pete Alonso are far apart in their contract negotiations, which is leaving Sal Licata concerned that the homegrown Met could sign elsewhere this winter.
Carlos Baerga reported that the Mets offered Alonso a three-year, $90 million contract with opt-outs after each year, and Sal says that would be a “borderline disrespectful” move by New York, one that could prompt Alonso to seek out another team where he would feel more valued.
“The Mets are playing a dangerous game of chicken with Pete Alonso,” Sal said. “Bottom line is this: you can say that all the first basemen are off the board and the Mets have the leverage now, but who is going to replace Pete Alonso in that lineup? Who is going to protect Juan Soto? I’m all ears, because I don’t see any answers.
“Outside of a trade, who is going to be the bat to protect Juan Soto? You can’t just say Juan Soto is in so the offense is better...it’s supposed to be Juan Soto plus Pete Alonso. Plus, they still need a DH.”
Most of the top first baseman available outside of Alonso have been taken, which could continue to lower Alonso’s value. But Sal says the Mets need to be careful and not disrespect their homegrown star, as it could lead to them losing critical protection for Soto in the middle of the lineup.
“Right now, the market is crap,” Sal said. “But that doesn’t mean that Pete Alonso is upset or insulted or hurt by how the Mets are operating. If the Mets did offer him three years at $90 million, that is borderline disrespectful...if all things are equal, and someone will eventually say that the price has come down on Alonso and get involved, and maybe Pete says ‘screw you Mets, you had your chance, but I’m out of here.’”