NEW YORK — The National League Championship Series has been full of blowouts, giving fans time to reflect on various aspects of the league. On Friday night, the New York Mets secured a thrilling 12-6 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which prompted thoughts about the future of Mets free agent Pete Alonso. Alonso, who hit a three-run homer in the first inning off Jack Flaherty, played a key role in bringing the Mets within three games to two in the series.
Imaginary dialogue between Mets owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns surfaced, centering on Alonso’s performance. Cohen expressed disbelief that Alonso, who claimed he was “fooled” on his successful hit, managed to drive the ball at 113.6 mph for a distance of 432 feet. He pondered whether this could be Alonso’s final game at Citi Field.
Stearns acknowledged the excitement but reminded Cohen of the need for rational decision-making. While the crowd chanted Alonso’s name, Cohen recalled that fans seemed ready to move on from him earlier in the regular season, especially after he started the series poorly with just two hits in 15 at-bats. However, Alonso’s four postseason home runs—including a critical shot in the wild-card series—had made him a player to consider keeping.
The conversation further revealed that Stearns is focused on maintaining the team’s momentum by not making hasty decisions while remaining mindful of Alonso’s situational performance. They discussed the possibility of securing other star players, including Juan Soto and potential pitchers, while managing their budget.
Stearns highlighted the importance of caution and reminded Cohen that Alonso is a first baseman nearing 30 years old, with recent statistics showing a decline in his overall power numbers. Yet Cohen emphasized that Alonso is integral to building the Mets’ brand and questioned whether it was wise to undervalue a player who has the chance to set franchise history as the Mets’ all-time home run leader.
The dialogue concluded with a reminder from Cohen that the investment in Alonso could pay dividends, especially if he continues to perform at a high level. He received a text from Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, commending the team’s victory and expressing excitement about future discussions.