DALLAS – The baseball community is abuzz over Juan Soto’s record-setting contract with the New York Mets, but David Stearns, head of the Mets’ baseball operations, remained tight-lipped during a recent press conference at the Hilton Anatole, refraining from commenting on the unconfirmed deal.
Stearns, however, did express enthusiasm about retaining first baseman Pete Alonso, another client of renowned agent Scott Boras. “We’d love to bring Pete back,” he stated, highlighting Alonso’s contributions to the team. The fan-favorite and four-time All-Star has made a significant impact since being drafted in 2016, hitting 216 home runs and being a reliable presence on the field with minimal missed games. His dramatic home run during the National League Wild Card Series was pivotal in the Mets’ journey to the National League Championship Series.
Despite Alonso’s impressive track record, there are considerations regarding his future with the team. At 30 years old, his defensive skills and speed have faced scrutiny, and his offensive performance has declined over the last three seasons. Stearns indicated the Mets are prepared to utilize their financial resources to make necessary improvements, stating, “There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think they’re there to improve the team.”
Should Alonso not return, the Mets could potentially shift breakthrough player Mark Vientos from third base to first, although Stearns emphasized his vision for Vientos to remain at third. This offseason has seen the Mets lose pitcher Luis Severino to the A’s while acquiring outfielder Jose Siri and signing pitchers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes to enhance their rotation.
Stearns mentioned there is still room to bring in another starting pitcher but underscored that this is not an urgent need. Veteran free agents like Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana remain available, along with notable pitchers such as Corbin Burnes and Max Fried in the market. Meanwhile, Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki has been posted to MLB teams and will become a free-agent option shortly.
This season marks a pivotal moment for the Mets as they navigate roster changes and player acquisitions, keeping fans hopeful for continued improvement and competitive strength in the league moving forward. The combination of promising talent and strategic moves might just set the stage for a successful season ahead.