Roughly eight groups are concerned out there for Pete Alonso, writes Jon Heyman of the New York Put up. Nonetheless, Heyman suggests that the majority of these golf equipment are occupied with a shorter-term, opt-out laden take care of the star slugger.
That aligns with latest reporting from ESPN’s Jeff Passan that recommended that Alonso is more likely to flip to a short-term contract. Will Sammon of The Athletic wrote in a reader mailbag final week that contract size gave the impression to be the holdup in talks between Alonso and the Mets. Heyman frames issues equally, reporting that the Mets favor a short-term deal.
In response to Heyman, Alonso had been looking for a deal of no less than six years with a assure within the $150-180MM vary at factors this offseason. It’s unclear how far his camp on the Boras Company has moved off that ask. In any case, it doesn’t appear that any groups had been prepared to go these heights. That’s not particularly shocking contemplating the best way groups have devalued defensively-limited sluggers over the previous decade. Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson every received six-plus years and narrowly topped $160MM (albeit with deferrals in Freeman’s case), however they had been every coming off superior platform seasons to Alonso.
Alonso turned 30 final month. He hit .240/.329/.459 with 34 homers throughout 695 journeys to the plate. That was his lowest full-season residence run whole and slugging share. Paired with the defensive limitations as a middling defender at first base, it’s simple to know groups’ hesitance to make a long-term dedication. On the similar time, there’s clear worth in a participant who performs each recreation who hit 34 homers in what’s a relative down yr from an influence perspective.
MLBTR predicted a five-year, $125MM contract for Alonso, who rejected a qualifying provide from the Mets. As we famous from the start of the winter, although, it wasn’t tough to foresee a state of affairs the place his market didn’t materialize as his camp envisioned. Alonso had beforehand declined a seven-year, $158MM extension provide (albeit not whereas he was represented by Scott Boras). That coated his remaining arbitration season, wherein he made $20.5MM. To come back out forward, he wanted to beat $137.5MM over six free agent years. Whereas that was evidently a aim, it appeared like an uphill battle.
Alonso may find yourself taking the route traversed by Cody Bellinger final offseason. When his market didn’t materialize as hoped, Bellinger signed for 3 years and $80MM with opt-out probabilities after every of the primary two seasons. Alonso would in all probability anticipate to beat a $26.67MM common annual worth if he’s going with a short-term contract. A return to the Mets nonetheless appears the most effective match, particularly if the staff efficiently waits him out into pivoting to a three-year assure. New York may preserve Mark Vientos at third base for an additional season.
Groups just like the Angels, Giants, Blue Jays and Purple Sox have been loosely tied to Alonso in latest weeks. Los Angeles, Toronto and Boston all have in-house choices at first base who may muddle the image. San Francisco seemingly wished to improve over LaMonte Wade Jr., however Heyman experiences that they’re reluctant to satisfy Alonso’s asking worth.
