In Dallas, the excitement in the baseball community is palpable, particularly surrounding Juan Soto’s landmark contract with the New York Mets. During a recent media briefing, David Stearns, head of baseball operations for the Mets, chose to sidestep questions on Soto due to the transaction’s pending status. However, he did shed some light on the future of first baseman Pete Alonso, expressing a desire to retain the fan-favorite player.
Stearns enthusiastically stated, “We’d love to bring Pete back. Pete’s been a great Met.” He highlighted Alonso’s remarkable performance, including significant hits that bolstered the team’s success. The 30-year-old first baseman has proven himself as a steady force since being drafted in 2016, earning four All-Star selections and hitting 216 home runs since his debut in 2019—the second highest total in Major League Baseball during that timeframe.
Despite his impressive track record, Alonso’s future with the Mets remains uncertain, especially as his offensive output has shown signs of decline in recent years. Nonetheless, Stearns reassured fans of the ownership’s commitment to allocate resources for team improvement, indicating the management’s readiness to pursue various avenues for upgrades.
Should the Mets and Alonso part ways, a potential repositioning of Mark Vientos from third base to first base could fill the gap. Vientos has been noted as a breakout star, yet Stearns still envisions him playing third base.
This offseason, the Mets have seen some roster changes, including the loss of right-hander Luis Severino to the Athletics and new acquisitions such as outfielder Jose Siri along with pitchers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes to bolster their rotation. While Stearns acknowledged the possibility of adding another starter, he doesn’t consider it essential at this juncture.
The Mets continue to explore options as they enter an exciting period with new talent available, including Japanese pitching star Roki Sasaki, who has officially declared for MLB teams. As the offseason unfolds, the Mets are positioned to make impactful decisions aimed at enhancing their competitiveness for the upcoming season.
In summary, while the Mets navigate free agency and ponder key roster moves, they remain focused on retaining influential players like Alonso and making strategic additions to their pitching rotation. Hope is high among fans as the team strives to build on its successes and foster a strong lineup for the future.