Pete Alonso has hit more home runs than anyone else ever while wearing a New York Mets uniform.
Can they really let that guy leave?
It could happen. Alonso is a free agent, and it's not a given that he'll stay in Queens.
The Mets want to prioritize defense and positional value, and as a negative defender at first base, Alonso may not be the solution they're looking for.
But he's also a fan favorite, and still an imposing presence in the middle of the order. He'd certainly be an exciting player for the Mets to bring back.
So what's going to happen?
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote in a new article that it could depend on the years being sought after in a new contract:
"Alonso and the Mets are back in familiar territory, as the slugger returns to the open market after opting out of the final year of his contract. The club’s all-time home run leader, Alonso is a natural fit in the Mets’ lineup, though his return might depend on the length of contract he’s seeking this time around. If he’s looking for more than four years, he may have to find it elsewhere."
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To see Alonso get five or more years from anyone seems like a large ask this offseason.
But it would certainly be tough to see the Mets giving him that. A player of Alonso's type rarely ages particularly well. His defense and baserunning will only decline as his bat falls off at some point, too.
There's still plenty to be determined. Mets fans will just have to wait and see what happens with Alonso.
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