DALLAS – Amid excitement surrounding Juan Soto’s historic contract with the New York Mets, David Stearns, the head of the Mets’ baseball operations, spoke to reporters on Monday. Although he refrained from commenting on Soto’s situation since it remains unofficial, he did share his thoughts on another prominent player in free agency: first baseman Pete Alonso.
“We’d love to bring Pete back,” Stearns stated. He highlighted Alonso’s significance to the team, noting his crucial contributions and remarkable history with the Mets as a homegrown talent. Since being drafted as a second-round pick in 2016, Alonso has played a pivotal role, becoming a four-time All-Star and hitting 216 home runs since his 2019 debut, ranking second in baseball during that period. Notably, he played a key role in the Mets’ playoff journey, delivering a game-changing home run during the National League Wild Card Series.
However, Stearns acknowledged that Alonso, now 30 years old, has seen a decline in his offensive performance over the past three seasons, and his defense and speed have also raised concerns.
“Our ownership has demonstrated a readiness to invest in the team when necessary,” Stearns remarked. He affirmed that the organization is committed to exploring various strategies to enhance the roster.
Should Alonso not return, there are potential options for the Mets, such as transitioning breakout star Mark Vientos from third to first base, although Stearns emphasized his preference for Vientos as a third baseman.
This offseason, the Mets have seen some changes, including losing pitcher Luis Severino to the Athletics and adding outfielder Jose Siri, alongside signing right-handers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes to bolster their starting rotation. Stearns noted a possibility for adding another starting pitcher but clarified that it is not an immediate requirement. Several key veteran free agents, including left-handers Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana, remain available, alongside notable names such as Corbin Burnes and Max Fried.
In an exciting development for MLB, Japanese star Roki Sasaki has been posted and will be eligible for teams to sign beginning Tuesday.
Overall, the Mets are actively looking at options to strengthen their roster while also considering the emotional and performance aspects tied to key players like Alonso. With the offseason full of potential, fans can look forward to what improvements the Mets might make to build a competitive team.