Rumor: New York Mets Attempted To Lock Up 3-Time All-Star With Massive Offer This Offseason

The New York Mets have been struggling to find consistency in the past decade. While they have had some good teams, all the seasons have ended the same. However, there is some hope currently on the roster. First baseman Pete Alonso has been one of the best young hitters in all of baseball, and the Mets hope they will have their franchise cornerstone for years to come. The team attempted to lock up the three-time All-Star this offseason with a massive deal.

New York Mets Tried To Extend Pete Alonso

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the New York Mets offered Pete Alonso a seven-year, $158 million extension this past offseason. Talks did not go anywhere, and the slugger is still set to hit free agency in 2025. Reports indicate the sides were not close, with Alonso likely wanting a huge deal. The number is likely influenced by the contracts of Matt Olsen and Freddie Freeman.

Despite the failed extension, there is optimism that a deal can get done between the two sides. The New York Mets want the 29-year-old star to be on their team long-term. Often, teams will look to trade their star players if they do not think they can reach an extension. Jon Heyman of the New York Post indicated earlier this month that Pete Alonso “isn’t too likely to be traded.”

Extension Based On 2024 Season?

It will be interesting to see if anyone’s tune changes depending on what happens in the 2024 season. If the New York Mets fail to reach the postseason again, they may look to hit the reset button. The team could likely get a king’s ransom of prospects for Alonso, as a contending team would love his bat in their lineup. We’ve seen teams rebuild this way with success, and the Mets could follow that blueprint.

Ultimately, I expect the New York Mets and Pete Alonso to come to a deal. New York needs the headline name in order to fill the seats, and players often like to play in big markets like the Big Apple. Still, this is a situation to keep an eye on as the season progresses. If things start to go sideways for the Mets, Alonso could decide that winning a championship is more important than being a part of this historic franchise.