Mets star first baseman Pete Alonso — who is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season — has reportedly hired BorasCorp, the powerhouse agency run by Scott Boras, to represent him.
Boras has a reputation for taking most of his best players to free agency. The New York Post first reported Alonso’s switch.
Mets owner Steve Cohen and Boras have worked out major free-agent deals in the recent past, namely Brandon Nimmo and Max Scherzer (also, there was the famous Carlos Correa negotiations, which failed because of health concerns on the Mets’ part, with the shortstop landing in Minnesota). In the case of Nimmo, the homegrown outfielder aligned himself with Boras ahead of his final year before free agency. Nimmo then went to free agency but re-signed with the Mets for eight years, $162 million. So there is the precedent of a Mets star under Boras working out a deal with New York, even if it first meant dangling in free agency.
The Mets could still try to secure an extension this winter with Alonso, 28, who is slated for a final year of arbitration. The $14.5 million for Alonso last winter was a record for a first baseman in his second time through the process.
Given Alonso’s contract situation and the team’s decision to sell at the trade deadline, the Mets at least discussed the star in talks with other teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite that, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said on his first day on the job Monday that he expected Alonso to be New York’s Opening Day first baseman. Though Stearns was still an advisor with the Brewers in job title at the trade deadline, he was not a part of their inner circle at the time when it came to discussing moves.
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Takeaways from David Stearns’ first day with Mets: The next manager, Pete Alonso’s future, Billy Eppler’s status
Alonso is a beloved homegrown star for many in New York. He’s a sure thing when it comes to power and he’s been a fixture in the middle of the Mets’ lineup since exploding onto the scene as a rookie. In the clubhouse, players view him as a leader. Publicly, Alonso has repeatedly said how much he enjoys playing in New York.
“Pete is a great player. He is also good in the clubhouse. And he is also homegrown. All of that matters,” Stearns said. “I expect Pete to be the Opening Day first baseman next year. Pete’s an important member of this team. Pete’s an important member of this organization. And I think we are really fortunate to have him.”
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(Photo: Gregory Fisher / USA Today)
