The Pete Alonso Conundrum

[TransMonk]

Just get it done. This conundrum needs to end.

[kcmets]

I think it's time to just say, 'this is what we'll give you and your
agent and if that is not satisfactory then thanks and good luck.'

Be a Met, or be a weasel...

Where do you get “weasel” from? I’ve not seen a single thing to suggest Pete isn’t acting in good faith. Negotiations can take a while.

Eh I was being a dick, G. I'm at a point in my life that I feel en-
titled so be a dick... like it's grandfathered in or something...

[MFS62]

Eh I was being a dick, G. I'm at a point in my life that I feel en-
titled so be a dick... like it's grandfathered in or something...

LOL!
Kase, from one old dick to another, you're doing it very well.
Keep up the good work.
Later

[Centerfield]

Follow up

I have no idea if Jim Duquette has any credibility on stuff like this. I don't remember him having any inside knowledge, but I also don't remember him being wrong about stuff like this.

If it's true, I'm guessing it's just a matter of time until a deal is hammered out.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Duquette followed up with this:

Of course, the financial portion of the deal is unknown at this point, but this would be good for both sides, similar to how Cody Bellinger’s contract with the Cubs was finalized in late February of 2024. There’s no need to wait that long with Pete

Did Bellinger's deal include an opt-out? If so, he apparently didn't exercise it, since the Yankees acquired him in a trade and not as a free agent.

[metsmarathon]

Please please please please please

[ashie62]

Follow up

I have no idea if Jim Duquette has any credibility on stuff like this. I don't remember him having any inside knowledge, but I also don't remember him being wrong about stuff like this.

If it's true, I'm guessing it's just a matter of time until a deal is hammered out.

Very true. He says Alonso is offering a 3 year deal with opt outs

If true this smacks of desperation by Pete or a bleed blue desire to remain a Met

[metsmarathon]

Perhaps a mix of both, most likely.

Either way, hell, I’m ok with it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah, me too. I hope it happens within the next few days.

[Edgy MD]

"Of course, the financial portion of this deal is unknown" is (of course) quite the caveat. It wouldn't be the first time that an agent applied pressure by making a less-than-generous overture and leaking only the generous-sounding part of it to the public.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Good point. It's possible that each of those three years are for $52 million.

[Centerfield]

I saw a Heyman clip posted by NY Post sports.

Summary:

---There's a "good chance" of a reunion
---Spent some time advertising Pete's accomplishments (6 years, more HRs than anyone other than Judge).
----"Not a certainly, there are other teams involved"
---"They haven't met the price yet, there's some more compromising to do"
---It's only Jan. 10. Half the free agents haven't signed, Bryce Harper signed in February, so did Prince Fielder. They got big deals.
---A lot of teams are looking at shorter term deals with opt outs for Pete
---More than a month to go before Spring Training

Basically, he ran through all the points Scott Boras would want him to cover.

If I'm reading between the lines, it kinda sounds like Boras is pushing back on this leak, or at the very least, didn't want this information out there, and sent Heyman to try to pry back some leverage.

[Frayed Knot]

I saw a Heyman clip posted by NY Post sports.

Summary:

---A lot of teams are looking at shorter term deals with opt outs for Pete

With the 'Only for the Mets' implication being that Camp Pete is giving the Mets an exclusive shot at this wonderful short-term arrangement.
But if they say 'No' then it begins to be shopped elsewhere and the Mets risk losing him and the loss will look like their fault. -- "They said no, not us"

iow, it's just another negotiating ploy complete with a leak to make one side look like the good guys.
I still think he'll return. But this sounds like just another step along the path and not necessarily the framework for a final agreement.

[metsmarathon]

I believe. I believe. It’s silly, but I believe.

[Centerfield]

Two days later and there are no reports of the numbers being asked. Curious.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Newsweek reporting that they're asking for $93.3 million over three years. It would break the record for annual salary for a first baseman, Miguel Cabrera's $31 million.

[Frayed Knot]

So Camp Pete is saying: 'So, you only want to do a shorter deal, eh? OK, fine. It'll cost ya though'


Armchair psychiatrist reading of these two proposals floated out there by Mr. Boras over the last few days suggests that they sound like they're designed to keep Pete at his stated first choice, and that's a good thing. Side effect is that the not-so-secret nature of these proposals lets potential other suitors know that these are more reachable numbers and so that brings that brings Pete into range of more teams willing to meet or top them.

[whippoorwill]

Getting out of hand

[batmagadanleadoff]

If the Mets offered Pete 3/90 in December and Pete now counters with 3/93.3, you'd figure this would gotten done by now, right? If the numbers are accurate and no other team stepped in to blow the roof off of those numbers, then what the hell could be the hold-up? Are the Mets haggling over one million dollars a year?

[Centerfield]

I think the 93.3 number is speculation from writers for the Athletic. I haven’t seen that it’s his actual demand yet.

[Centerfield]

Still not a peep on the Alonso demand.

I'm guessing the demand must have been stupid high from Boras/Pete.

[kcmets]

Maybe they're demanding a merchandise tent outside the stadium
or something and that's where Uncle Steve is drawing the line.

One amusing thing is this new front office doesn't leak jack dick.

[Edgy MD]

It's a damned shame the HVAC guy from Shea didn't follow the team over to Citi Field.

[kcmets]

I remind you, he's in prison... Green Haven Correctional Facility last
I heard. I'm done with this at noon, Wednesday.

Pete and Boras can go rot in Seattle after that for all I care....

[ashie62]

Wittingly or unwittingly I believe Duquette got used by Boras and in at least until now the Mets have called his bluff