David Stearns told reporters on Monday that Pete Alonso testing free agency is "the most likely outcome," putting more uncertainty on whether the homegrown slugger will be a Met for life.
Sal says any Mets fans panicking over Stearns' comments need to take a breath.
"Just because Stearns says the Mets aren't likely going to pay him now…ultimately, they'll play the season out, and the Mets are going to extend Pete Alonso," Sal said. "Everyone just needs to calm down. Pete Alonso will be a lifelong Met.
"When all is said and done, they'll play this thing out, and at the end of the year, Scott Boras will test the open market, and the Mets will give Pete Alonso the most money. He will be a Met."
Even if Alonso is offered more money than the Mets expected in the open market, Sal believes the team will cave and sign him to a long-term deal, and take the fan reaction into account.
"The Mets know Pete Alonso's importance to the fanbase," Sal said. "They know the public blowback they would get for losing him.
"The Mets feel like they're in a spot where they feel like they can't lose Pete Alonso because of the fan blowback. I think that's gonna overtake any logic they might have about what type of player he projects to be. Not to mention they can afford it, so why not just sign him, have him back, hope that power plays."
