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Jorge Castillo
NEW YORK — The Mets held their first winter event for fans in five years at Citi Field on Saturday, and there was one notable absence.
Pete Alonso wasn’t in attendance because, for the first time since the 2016 draft, he isn’t a member of the Mets organization. The homegrown star first baseman remains a free agent. Although a reunion remains possible, he might have played his last game as a Met.
“Pete’s been here since I’ve been here,” said Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who has starred for the franchise since 2021. “He was here before me. So, yeah, it would be different if he goes somewhere else. Yeah, it would be different. But I think he should take his time. I think he should make the best decision for himself and not feel that he’s rushed.”
Alonso, along with third baseman Alex Bregman, is one of the two best position players left on the free agent market. Alonso, who is represented by Scott Boras, originally sought a long-term deal, but he is open to returning to the Mets on a three-year contract with opt-outs, according to a source. The Mets have been open to such a deal. The obstacle has been money.
“I would love to see Pete back with us, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “And that’s between Pete and our front office and David [Stearns] and Steve [Cohen]. And from what I understand, there’s been a lot of talks between them. I’m still hopeful that we’ll sign him.”
Nimmo, who is also represented by Boras, signed an eight-year, $162 million contract to remain with the Mets two offseasons ago. He is the longest-tenured player on the roster, having debuted in 2016.
“I don’t think they’re trying to rush the process,” Nimmo said. “When you get to free agency, it’s a privilege to be able to go through it, and it’s not a decision that you want to take lightly or try and rush. So there’s a lot of talk beforehand about how you want to approach meetings and situations, and if you’re not seeing what you’re looking for, then there’s no reason to rush it.”
Alonso, 30, became a fan favorite while becoming a franchise cornerstone over his six seasons in Queens. He’s hit 226 home runs since making his major-league debut — the second-highest total in baseball behind only Aaron Judge. His 53 home runs in 2019 are a rookie record. He’s been a reliable everyday presence; he’s never missed more than nine games in a season and played in all 178 games, postseason included, in 2024. He’s made four All-Star teams and won the Home Run Derby twice.
But he rates as a poor defender and baserunner whose offensive production has declined over the last three seasons, creating a free-agent market that hasn’t been as fruitful as projected when he declined a seven-year, $158 million contract extension in 2023.
Last season, he posted career lows in home runs (34), OPS (.788) and fWAR (2.1) for a full campaign, but recorded a 1.003 OPS in the postseason with five home runs, including the go-ahead three-run blast in the ninth inning against then-Milwaukee Brewers All-Star closer Devin Williams to send the Mets to the NL Division Series.
“Listen, he’s a special player,” Hall of Famer and former Mets catcher Mike Piazza said Saturday. “Guys that can hit 40 home runs are not walking on the street. So when he’s really in his game, he’s a special player. I hope, from a personal standpoint, I hope they work something out.”
Preparing for life without Alonso, the Mets recently instructed third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to work out at first base. Vientos and Baty both confirmed the organization’s request Saturday.
Vientos, 25, enjoyed a breakout season as one of the best hitters in the National League after solidifying himself as the Mets’ every-day third baseman in May and helping fuel the team’s run to the National League Championship Series. Baty, a former top prospect, was the club’s Opening Day third baseman last season. He struggled after a hot start before he was demoted to Triple-A and didn’t return to the majors.
