LAS VEGAS — The typically bustling workrooms at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas were uncharacteristically hushed on Monday, as Major League Baseball’s general manager meetings commenced. The quiet atmosphere, a rarity in Las Vegas, was partly due to widespread air travel disruptions across the United States, exacerbated by the ongoing government shutdown. Such a subdued start aligns with the traditionally slow pace of the GM meetings.
Amidst this backdrop, the focus of baseball discussions this week is on gambling allegations. However, in the realm of player movements, Pete Alonso is the central figure. Fans of the New York Mets are anxiously waiting to see if the team will secure a deal with their star first baseman, who has opted out of the second year of his contract to enter free agency once again this winter. While any decisive developments are improbable during the meetings, the gathering of all 30 teams and prominent player agents inevitably sparks conversation.
Current discussions surrounding Alonso are not what Mets enthusiasts are hoping to hear. Initial reports suggest the Mets might be prepared to let the beloved “Polar Bear” go. This situation sets the stage for a potential clash between Mets owner Steve Cohen and the team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns. Last winter, Stearns was inclined to let Alonso leave until Cohen intervened and signed him to a short-term deal.
Cohen is acutely aware of the fans’ sentiments and their desire to watch Alonso at Citi Field. While this could mark a significant conflict between Cohen and his top executive, he is unlikely to yield solely to fan pressure. Cohen typically empowers his baseball operations team to make decisions that they believe will field a competitive team.
Executives often remain unfazed by fan opinions, as the pressures of their roles demand focus on the bigger picture rather than social media reactions. The Mets, with strong fan loyalty, are no exception to this approach.
David Stearns recognizes that the team fell short last season, and addressing defensive weaknesses is crucial. He acknowledged “run prevention” as a key area of concern during his end-of-season press conference, highlighting the need for improvements to bolster the roster moving forward.
Alonso’s defensive metrics have declined over the last few years. His -9 defensive runs saved was the worst out of all qualified first basemen last year, and the same goes for his -9 outs above average. While he is excellent at picking balls in the dirt, his throws aren’t accurate and his range is limited. The right side of the field remains an issue with Juan Soto’s defensive limitations.
However, the metrics can’t account for his clubhouse presence as a vocal leader. The Mets also don’t have an in-house replacement who can account for the production at the plate he brings. A perennial 30-40 home-run hitter, they can’t count on Mark Vientos to produce like that. Soto needs more lineup protection than Vientos or Brandon Nimmo.
Alonso will be 31 next month, and reportedly wants a six-year contract in the realm of $150 million. As a top hitter in the game, having job security in his 30s with a long-term contract is only natural. He’s made it known that he wants to win, and after last season, it’s fair to be unsure about those prospects with the Mets. Money seemingly has not been a deterrent for the Mets with Cohen, so it’s not clear if Stearns doesn’t want to sign him to a multi-year contract because of his age, defense, or a combination of both. But people around the Mets have been saying for two years that Alonso isn’t highly regarded by the club’s top baseball ops executive.
If that’s not the case, Stearns can set the record straight. It’s probably not personal for him, but it is to the fans who saw him grow up in the organization.
This week, we should find out if the Mets have made any progress with Alonso and free agent closer Edwin Diaz. It could be easier to lock up Diaz. Still, the Mets’ offseason plans are heavily dependent on what happens with Alonso.
By the end of the week, there should be some clarity on the Mets, but it could be a while before there is any clarity on their specific situation with Alonso.
