The Pete Alonso Conundrum

[smg58]

According to Fangraphs, all the first basemen who moved in the last two days except Goldschmidt had a higher WAR last year than Alonso. If he was asking for significantly more than what any of these other players got, I'm not surprised that the other teams looking for first base help all went elsewhere. There was only one team who might value him that much, and right now they appear to be bidding against themselves.

I'd hold firm at the 3 and 60 that Walker got. Walker is older, but he's been the better player each of the last three years.

[kcmets]

Swimming pool.

Swimming pool what? Jesus, just spell it out...

[Lefty Specialist]

Bregman to third/Vientos to first is still probably the best alternative if they don’t sign Pete. After that? It gets much less desirable.

That wouldn't be terrible, and the threat of Bregman might also entice Pete into something a little more team-friendly both in length and $.

[Centerfield]

Nathaniel Lowe traded to Washington.

Nats now out on Alonso.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I really hope the Mets lock down Pete before the New Year.

[Edgy MD]

Nathaniel Lowe traded to Washington.

Nats now out on Alonso.

But are the Rangers really going with Jake Burger?

I guess so, but ... well, Pete Alonso is surely better than that guy.

[Centerfield]

So Alonso won’t be signed by Christmas. Which probably means nothing will change until January.

I’d love to see where the parties stand as of now. I’d guess the Alonso camp is now in “what deal can we take and save face” mode.

[MFS62]

C'mon, Pete. Sign the contract under your tree and give all of us a present.
Do it for the little children.
Please.

Later

[whippoorwill]

And us big kids

[Bob Alpacadaca]

Saw a report that the Mets are offering a three-year, $90 million deal with a player opt out after each year. Same report says Boras is asking for $200 million.

[metirish]

If Boras can get Pete #200 million then good for them

[Frayed Knot]

I think it's entirely possible that some team swoops in and offers Pete more $$/yrs than the Mets are willing to match.
I don't have a specific team in mind but there may be one or two out there.
But it's hard to see how such a team is going to have to go near $200 mil in order to pull it off.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Pete may have had a chance at $200 million two years ago, but I don't see it happening now.

[Frayed Knot]

And, as if on cue, Puma in the Post lists the ...

- Giants, where a combo of Wilmer Flores and Lamont Wade Jr platooned last year. Was their (too?) heavy investment in Willy Adames a $ign of thing$ to come?

- Rangers, coming off a down post-WS year but still in 'win-now' mode with deGrom, Seager, and Semien as their core. Also need to replace just-traded Nathaniel Lowe

- Mariners, who have good pitching but need pop/runs and also had no set 1B-man last year

- Cardinals, need to replace Goldschmidt but don't seem keen to spend a lot

- Angels, who always seem to spend on 'name' players as a way to get to respectability rather than only doing so once they get there

... as potential landing spots for a hungry polar bear.



https://nypost.com/2024/12/24/sports/pe ... s-dwindle/

[MFS62]

At this point, I don't think the $/yr is the sticking point (probably around $30 million) but the length of contract.
If Pete wants a three year opt out, I'd offer a player or team opt out clause after 3 years and see what happens.
Later

[Frayed Knot]

I'm not suggesting it's dollars per year that the Mets won't match but some combo of dollars And yearS combined.
So if the Mets offer 4 x $30 he may go elsewhere for 5 x $30, or 6 x $27, or some similar set-up that the Mets will opt not match/top.
And it's the $200 mil total (in whatever form) that I can't see happening no matter how much Boras wants to trumpet it.

[MFS62]

And it's the $200 mil total (in whatever form) that I can't see happening no matter how much Boras wants to trumpet it.

I agree. That would be nuts.
Later

[smg58]

If somebody else beats 3 and 90 with opt-outs, they are totally welcome to have him.

[kcmets]

I just saw a phone notification and in the link title it only said,

"Mets slugger Pete Alonso re..."

I was like, holy crap on a holiday... and I had a heart palpitation
or three. But Lucy pulled the football once again and...

[Edgy MD]

See this is how to tackle the market. Boras has a job to get two teams bidding his client up, but Stearns works it so he has two sluggers bidding the Mets down.

[ashie62]

I sincerely hope Pete doesn't get left in the cold like Mike Conforto did

It's starting to feel a bit chilly

[Lefty Specialist]

I sincerely hope Pete doesn't get left in the cold like Mike Conforto did

It's starting to feel a bit chilly

Conforto turned down a QO from the Mets then hurt himself. Not left out in the cold but rather stepping into a walk-in fridge and then locking the door.

[Edgy MD]

If that $90 million offer is for reals, It beats the socks off of a one-year $21.05 million qualifying offer.

[Lefty Specialist]

At this point, I don't think the $/yr is the sticking point (probably around $30 million) but the length of contract.
If Pete wants a three year opt out, I'd offer a player or team opt out clause after 3 years and see what happens.
Later

I'd be happy with 3/$90 or even 4/$120. Longer than that and I start to hesitate, especially the way the first base market seems to be crashing. But Alex Bregman is repped by Boras, too, so you can't play one off against the other.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, I don't think you have to limit it to three years less. I was mainly hoping they didn't get bluffed into five and up.

I mean, it sounds odd considering that we're coming off being giddy that they just locked Soto up for the net decade and a half.
And while that is a ridiculous length of time, at least he's 26 years old and a unicorn. Don't have to get crazy twice in one winter.