The idea of the New York Mets re-signing Pete Alonso in free agency is loaded with sentimental value, yes.
There's inherent weight to the fact that Alonso is the Mets' all-time home runs leader. He's the beloved Polar Bear. He's made to slug homers in Queens.
As of midday Tuesday, it's not yet clear whether Alonso will return to the Mets on a new contract, or if he'll sign a free agent deal elsewhere.
But as of noon on Tuesday during the Winter Meetings, the stakes have been raised.
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The Mets were raised as a possibility to sign slugger Kyle Schwarber, but he has returned to the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Mets also were going to potentially re-sign their own closer, Edwin Diaz, but he has shipped out for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There are other notable free agents out there, with Cody Bellinger maybe the most notable name frequently linked to the Mets.
But at this point, the Alonso signing feels more important than ever.
It's not even strictly about the baseball. The Mets' fanbase would be pained by the idea of losing Alonso and Diaz in the same winter.
At least if they had done something like replace Alonso with Schwarber, that would've felt OK.
But now?
Schwarber's off the table. Diaz is gone.
The only solution is to bring Alonso back. He still will hit lots of home runs. But he'll also ensure that the Mets' faithful remain just that.
More MLB news:
- Pirates made a record-setting contract offer to Kyle Schwarber
- Dodgers' payroll is even more loaded with Edwin Diaz
- Why Edwin Diaz left the Mets for the Dodgers