The owner of the New York Mets, Steve Cohen, who is known for his lavish spending, has expressed understanding of the desires of Mets fans regarding All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso’s contract situation. He acknowledges the importance of compensating Alonso either before or after he becomes a free agent later this year.
Some MLB writers from CBS Sports, namely R.J. Anderson, Dayn Perry, and Mike Axisa, suggest that Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns, might advise Cohen to allocate his funds differently. This sentiment is shared by others, including ESPN’s Paul Hembekides, who noted Stearns’ history with the Milwaukee Brewers, where they frequently rotated first basemen. Despite Stearns acknowledging the potential benefit of Alonso’s outstanding performance in 2024, doubts linger about his willingness to commit to a first baseman entering his 30s.
Alonso will turn 30 in December, prompting speculation about the Mets’ long-term plans for him. Axisa suggests that Stearns, known for maximizing value and trading popular players even during crucial times, may attempt to dissuade Cohen from overpaying for Alonso.
However, there’s optimism among Mets fans, with CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder believing that Stearns will adapt to the new environment under Cohen’s ownership and invest in keeping Alonso while also focusing on developing the team’s talent pipeline from the minors to the majors.
Currently, Cohen has largely delegated personnel decisions to Stearns. Whether this dynamic changes regarding Alonso’s contract could determine the player’s future with the Mets, possibly even impacting his tenure as soon as this summer or before the trade deadline.