As the MLB offseason nears its end, with opening day just 75 days away, several notable free agents remain unsigned. Third baseman Alex Bregman has drawn significant interest from multiple teams, but no agreement has been reached on contract terms. Meanwhile, New York Mets slugger and 2019 National League Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso appears to have generated less interest. Teams seem to be opting for more budget-friendly first basemen rather than meeting Alonso’s reported asking price, which ranges between $174 million and $300 million over seven to nine years.
A recent report by former Mets general manager Jim Duquette, now an analyst for SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio, suggests Alonso might be reconsidering his price expectations. In December, the Mets reportedly offered him a three-year, $90 million deal, which Alonso declined. However, according to Duquette, Alonso’s camp has now approached the Mets with a similar three-year proposal that includes opt-out options. “This offer is exclusive to the Mets for now,” Duquette shared on his social media platform. While no deal appears imminent, Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, has not commented on the report.
Duquette also compared Alonso’s potential shorter-term contract to Cody Bellinger’s late February 2024 agreement with the Cubs, suggesting there’s no need for Alonso’s deal to take as long. Despite this apparent concession, Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets’ cable network, reported that negotiations remain far from final, stating, “The two sides are not close to an agreement at this time. Things can happen quickly, but they’re not happening yet.”
A separate report earlier in the week alleged that Boras was demanding a deal for Alonso comparable to Prince Fielder’s 2013 contract with the Detroit Tigers. Boras, however, denied that claim in a recent interview with SNY.
