Last winter, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso tested free agency. But it did not go as planned, as his market was lukewarm at best, and there was a lack of long-term offers, something that he was looking for.
So, the five-time All-Star decided to sign a shorter deal and return to the Mets. The two sides agreed on a two-year, $54 million contract with an option after the first year.
Many expected Alonso to opt out of his contract and test the open market once again, and that is exactly what he is doing. He will be one of the biggest players on the free-agency list, and is hopeful the long-term contract will come this winter.
Former Mets GM pitches five-year deal to keep Pete Alonso in Queens
Re-signing Pete Alonso to a long-term contract is not out of the question for the Mets. Owner Steve Cohen does not hesitate to give meaningful contracts to star players in hopes his team will become a contender.
Losing Alonso would be a tough blow not just to the product on the field but to the entire organization. To keep him around, former Mets GM Jim Duquette laid out a five-year deal during Wednesday's Baseball Night in New York to potentially keep Alonso in the blue and orange.
"I don't think years-wise it's going to be all that much because he's gonna play at 31 years old," said Duquette. "The idea, five years, $175 [million], it gets him above where he fits...I think that's along those lines, where a first baseman is gonna get paid...that would be the number that would do it for me and if it's more than that, I think I have to walk away."
Duquette believes a five-year, $175 million deal is more than fair, given that Alonso is aging. Anything over that, the former GM does not believe would be worth entertaining.