NEW YORK — As the National League Championship Series draws attention, the New York Mets secured a thrilling 12-6 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. This result has sparked thoughts about the future of standout player Pete Alonso, who is set to enter free agency. Alonso’s impressive three-run homer in the first inning off pitcher Jack Flaherty was a key moment that brought the Mets closer in the series, now at three games to two.
Imagining a discussion between Mets owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns, the focus turned to Alonso’s potential departure. Cohen expressed mixed emotions over Alonso’s performance, highlighting his powerful hit measured at 113.6 mph and 432 feet despite the player’s admission of being fooled by the pitch.
Stearns reminded Cohen of the importance of making objective decisions, noting how the Mets’ fan base seemed ready to move on from Alonso after a rough start to the postseason. Nevertheless, Alonso has shown his potential, now totaling four home runs in this postseason alone.
Cohen acknowledged the importance of Alonso to the franchise, weighing the emotional attachment against business decisions concerning a lucrative contract, potentially worth $200 million. Discussions around Alonso’s future also included mentions of other prominent free agents like Juan Soto and several pitchers expected to hit the market.
Cohen and Stearns debated Alonso’s value, with Stearns pointing out that while Alonso is a great player, he will soon be turning 30 and has shown some decline in his performances this season. Cohen countered by stressing the importance of maintaining the brand, suggesting the risk of losing a marketable player like Alonso to another team, which could hurt the Mets’ image and performance.
The conversation eventually returned to the prospect of retaining Alonso, with Cohen highlighting the history tied to the player, who is on track to break franchise records. Despite the complexity involved in making a decision, they both recognized his significant role in the team’s successes.
As the dialogue wrapped up, Cohen received a message from Scott Boras, Alonso’s agent, celebrating the recent win and the player’s progress, indicating further discussions on Alonso’s future are imminent.