NEW YORK — Pete Alonso loomed over the New York Mets’ Amazin’ Day at Citi Area on Saturday with out attending the occasion.
Simply earlier than Mets proprietor Steve Cohen answered a query about the place issues stand with Alonso, a homegrown star and free agent first baseman, throughout a panel dialogue, a spirited crowd started chanting, “Let’s Signal Pete! Let’s signal Pete! Let’s signal Pete!”
One other chant then began, “Pete Al-on-so!”
Cohen then quipped, “Maintain that for the tip, OK?”
Cohen adopted with a blunt evaluation.
“We made a big supply to Pete,” Cohen stated. “He’s entitled to discover his market. That’s what he’s doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting dialog and negotiation. I imply, Soto was robust — that is worse.
“Quite a lot of it’s, we made a big supply … I don’t just like the buildings which can be being offered again to us. It’s extremely uneven towards us. And I really feel strongly about it. I’ll by no means say no. There’s all the time the likelihood. However the actuality is we’re transferring ahead. And as we proceed to herald gamers, the truth is it turns into more durable to suit Pete into what’s a really costly group of gamers that we have already got. That’s the place we’re. And I’m being brutally sincere.
“I don’t just like the negotiations. I don’t like what’s been offered to us. Pay attention, possibly that modifications. Actually, I’ll all the time keep versatile. If it stays this manner, I feel we’re going to should get used to the truth that we might should go ahead with the prevailing gamers that we’ve.”
The group applauded the reply.
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Groups in search of free-agent bats discover that their choices are working low
Typically, from a star participant’s perspective, a short-term deal will be seen as a concession. Due to this fact, for 3 years, there could be a desire from the participant’s aspect to have solely participant opt-outs and no deferred cash. In Boras’ 4 shorter-term offers after the 2023 season, none included deferred cash. Alternatively, from the staff’s perspective, they might want extra optionality on their aspect.
“Pete’s free-agent contract construction request are an identical to the requirements and practices of different golf equipment who’ve signed equally located qualifying-offer/all-star stage gamers,” agent Scott Boras stated. “Nothing completely different. Simply established equity requirements.”
Final week, the Mets made a counteroffer of three years to Alonso and Boras. It was rejected.
The Mets withdrew that particular supply after it was turned down, sources conversant in the matter stated. Nonetheless, it’s unknown if the Mets and Alonso have since re-engaged. So whether or not the door is open beneath related or completely different parameters stays a query.
The group at Amazin’ Day began chanting “We would like Pete!” as quickly as Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza took the stand for a panel hosted by SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen. When the broadcaster started asking a query about Alonso, he referred to it as “the elephant within the room.” Chants of “Pe-te” then continued.
“All of us love Pete and we’ve stated that many occasions,” Stearns stated, receiving cheers. “As we’ve gone by this course of, we’ve continued to specific that. And we additionally perceive that it is a enterprise and Pete, as a free agent, deserves the best and earned the privilege to see what’s on the market.
“We additionally really feel actually good concerning the younger gamers who’re coming by our system who’ve the power to play on the major-league stage.”
That’s when followers met Stearns’ phrases with groans and boos.
“We noticed that final 12 months. And that’s not all the time the most well-liked opinion,” Stearns continued. “We noticed that final 12 months and we are going to this 12 months once more.”
With out Alonso on the roster, the Mets would almost definitely look internally for an answer at first base. Earlier this month, Mets officers instructed third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to start out taking reps at first base with Alonso’s future and the place for the membership unsure.
Vientos broke out because the Mets’ third baseman final 12 months, supplanting Baty on the place. Scouts stated Vientos improved defensively however nonetheless has loads of room to develop. Within the minor leagues, he additionally performed first base.
“I really like taking part in third base, however proper now my foremost focus is, ‘What can I do for us to get to the World Collection and win a championship?’” Vientos stated. “That’s what I need.”
At Amazin’ Day, Baty sported a brand new jersey quantity — No. 7. He beforehand wore No. 22, that means he wanted a brand new quantity as quickly because the Mets signed Juan Soto. Baty landed on No. 7 as a result of he grew up rooting for José Reyes and Joe Mauer.
Would possibly a brand new place be subsequent?
Baty recalled Stearns telling him a few weeks in the past, “We don’t know what’s going to occur,” and to start out taking reps at first base. The following day, a primary baseman’s glove arrived within the mail.
In contrast to Vientos, Baty is a neophyte at first base. He final performed first base sparingly as a sophomore in highschool. He’s so new on the place that he stated he hadn’t even thought of holding runners on or taking throws from pitchers. He stated engaged on his footwork across the bag is probably the most difficult half.
Baty sees any probability at first base as a chance to boost his versatility as he tries to win a job in spring coaching. Third base is Baty’s foremost place, however he performed some second base final 12 months in Triple A following a midseason demotion. In earlier seasons within the minor leagues, he additionally performed some left subject.
“It’s actually enjoyable, actually,” Baty stated. “I’ve all the time prided myself on being as athletic as I will be. And I feel athleticism, you possibly can present it off at any place whether or not or not it’s first base, second base, third base, the outfield, no matter it’s.”
Mendoza stopped wanting anointing anybody the primary baseman. If Vientos slid over to first base, Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, presumably amongst others, would comprise a contest for enjoying time at third base.
“We acquired choices,” Mendoza stated when requested if Vientos was the staff’s first baseman as issues stand. “We additionally acquired some depth there. We signed Jared Younger, who has expertise. Joey Meneses is a non-roster invite who has big-league expertise. So we acquired choices there. Guys are going to get the chance. We are going to see what occurs.”
In the meantime, Alonso lingers in free company. Veteran and clubhouse chief Brandon Nimmo, additionally a Boras shopper, stated he wasn’t too shocked that Alonso stays available on the market as a result of he expects his longtime teammate to take his time with the method till he noticed figures to his liking.
“I might like to see Pete again with us, however I additionally perceive that I don’t make these choices; that’s between Pete and our entrance workplace,” Nimmo stated. “From what I perceive, there have been quite a lot of talks between them. I’m nonetheless hopeful that we are going to signal him. However we’re actually pleased with what we’ve achieved this offseason. We’ve made our staff a greater staff.”
Star shortstop Francisco Lindor added, “He ought to make the most effective choice for himself, and never really feel like he’s rushed into a call. And I’m positive he’ll. Pete is sensible. And he’s going to get the enter from his spouse and his household after which make the most effective choice for himself. As he ought to. He deserves it.”
Within the meantime, lower than three weeks stay till the Mets start reporting to spring coaching.
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(Picture: Harry How / Getty Pictures)