Will the Mets pay for a reunion with their All-Star slugger?
Early on in the 2024 season, some graffiti appeared across from Citi Field on Seaver Way with a message for Steve Cohen: Sign Alonso already. That seemed like the overwhelming sentiment when the season started but now at season’s end that decision isn’t as cut and dried.
The 29-year-old had a good season but a down year by his standards. He hit .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs, which was a far cry from his 46 home runs and 118 RBIs the previous year. His OPS slid from .821 to .788 and his strikeouts went up. Still, he was a 2-win player with 2.6 bWAR and he played in all 162 games. It was not looking good for the Polar Bear’s future in Queens in September, as he struggled down the stretch and the fans said their good-byes with a standing ovation in his last home game before the playoffs started.
Once the playoffs began, Alonso proved just how valuable his bat can be. He can win any game with one swing, which was proven in Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the Brewers. Not only did he win the game, he won the series and kept them alive to take on the Phillies. During the 2024 playoffs, he hit .273/.431/.568 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 13 games. His OPS was .999 and his home runs in Game 3 of the NLDS and in Game 5 of the NLCS were crucial at the time they were hit.
Outside of Juan Soto, Alonso will be one of the most desirable free agents on the market. Since he entered the league in 2019, nobody has hit more home runs than Alonso and he trails only Aaron Judge for most in the majors. Should the Yankees lose out on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, they could pivot to Alonso to pair with Judge and try and slug their way back to the World Series.
The Giants, Cubs, and Nationals could all be interested in Alonso as well and, off course, there is always the chance of a mystery team that blows him away with an offer. A first baseman where you are pretty much guaranteed at least 30 home runs every season is certainly attractive to those looking to win.
As for his future with Mets, there is always the possibility of a reunion but Soto is clearly their priority. They are also interested in Willy Adames, which would mean that Mark Vientos slides over to become their new first baseman. In 2023, Alonso reportedly turned down Billy Eppler’s offer of a seven-year, $158 million contract extension and it is unclear if David Stearns is willing to offer more than that. Alonso is a Scott Boras client and, if it comes down to money, he most likely is wearing a different uniform in 2025. However, the Mets do have some intangibles working in their favor.
First, if Alonso re-signs he will most likely enter the Mets record books as the franchise leader in home runs. Right now he is third and only 26 behind Darryl Strawberry on the leaderboard. He could easily get that done next season and further cement himself with every home run hit for the remainder of his contract. He also seems to genuinely love playing in New York and with the Mets specifically. He has talked openly about wanting to bring a championship to this organization, so it could be very tempting to finish what he started with the organization he made his debut with.
If that is the case, it will be up to Stearns and Cohen if they want a reunion and what number they are willing to give. Getting Soto does not necessarily put them out on Alonso if he gives them a discount. Imagining a top of the lineup of: Lindor, Nimmo, Vientos, Soto, and Alonso is awfully tempting. Father time remains undefeated however and Alonso’s contract could become a burden in its later years, but should the Mets win a World Series in the next few seasons, would it matter?