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As New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso gets closer to hitting free agency after the 2024 season, it sounds like the team is open to shipping him away in hopes of avoiding losing him for nothing.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Tuesday that multiple MLB executives believe Alonso will be available prior to this season’s trade deadline because of his contract situation.
“Pete Alonso would be the preeminent slugger available — and considering he makes $20.5 million and the Mets would get only a fourth-round draft pick in draft compensation for letting him sign elsewhere in free agency because of their exorbitant payroll, multiple general managers said they expect new president of baseball operations David Stearns to trade the All-Star first baseman,” Passan explained.
B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoff
Pete Alonso struck out on a pitch clock violation 😅
(via @SNYtv)pic.twitter.com/ULRmSsUs3M
Alonso agreed to a one-year deal in January to avoid arbitration. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported last month that the Mets made an offer through Alonso’s agency for a seven-year, $158 million extension in June 2023, but the sides “never got close to a deal” and Alonso was floated in trade discussions with the Chicago Cubs that July.
Alonso is hitting .234 with a team-high 13 home runs and 30 RBI in 60 games this season. However, the Mets sit in fourth place in the NL East and appear to be on the verge of another lost season.
New York’s best option could be to recoup assets for the three-time All-Star first baseman and begin building for the future.
Alonso and the Mets will be back in action on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, but it sounds like his days in a New York uniform are numbered.
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