It’s unclear if Mets owner Steve Cohen will sign off on a second consecutive summer fire sale, but it appears that Pete Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, is preparing to take the All-Star first baseman into free agency regardless of Cohen’s intentions.
“It’s possible they could re-engage with Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, before the trade deadline,” MLB insider Buster Olney of ESPN wrote. “But Boras’ well-established practice is to take his clients into free agency when he has the opportunity, theoretically, for maximum leverage.”
While it seems unlikely that the Mets and Alonso would come to terms on a contract extension before the “Polar Bear” hits the open market, Cohen and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns hoped the 29-year-old would help keep the club in wild-card conversations through September. Instead, the Amazins began Tuesday at 22-30.
Among New York’s woes, advertised ace Kodai Senga realistically may not make his 2024 regular-season debut before the All-Star break as he deals with issues related to his recovery from the moderate capsule strain in the back of his right shoulder he suffered in spring training.
“Sources say that the Mets and Alonso are far apart in what they perceive his market value to be,” Olney continued. “If the Mets aren’t contending and they don’t work out a long-term deal with Alonso before the deadline, he’ll be perhaps the biggest name on the trade market — presenting the potential of an immediate power upgrade for any team that acquires him.”
Specifically, Olney named the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs as possible landing spots for Alonso. Rumors have linked Alonso to the Cubs since last year.
It’s long been thought that Stearns could work with Alonso on a trade ahead of the July 30 deadline with the understanding that Cohen would outbid potential suitors and re-sign the slugger this offseason. However, Cohen is widely expected to pursue current New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto in free agency.
On paper, Cohen can afford to re-sign Alonso and acquire Soto. Stearns reportedly prefers to pay free agents who are 28 and younger, though, and Alonso will be 30 next spring when Soto is 26.
Alonso recently mentioned that the Mets consistently winning games over the next several weeks could keep his name out of trade rumors through July. The harsh truth is that there is no sign of New York producing a lengthy winning streak anytime soon.