LOS ANGELES — Some rival executives say they believe free agent slugger Pete Alonso is ultimately worth more to the Mets than anyone else due to his exalted stature with fans.
Mets owner Steve Cohen and agent Scott Boras were seen talking at length at the NLCS and the subject might have been Alonso (they aren’t allowed to talk about Juan Soto yet). But early hints suggest the Mets may let Alonso look around before they present an updated offer.
This isn’t an insult but it’s the same tack the Yankees once used with Derek Jeter. While Alonso isn’t in Jeter’s category as an all-time great with rings, he’s beloved by hometown fans and he aided that relationship with an enormous October that included two of the biggest homers in Mets history to erase an ordinary regular season.
The Astros, Cubs, Orioles and Mariners are seen as other possibilities. And how about the Phillies if Bryce Harper moves back to the outfield?
Ultimately, the Mets may believe no one will match his contractual expectations, or the value they themselves place on the beloved Met.
While Mets baseball president David Stearns says only positive things about Alonso, Cohen is probably the key to these talks. Stearns is said by former coworkers to disfavor long deals for free agents past their mid-20s (Alonso is 29). Soto, who turned 26 Friday, would be more up his alley.