Protecting Your Assets: Pete Alonso is the Perfect Protection for Juan Soto
Despite the biggest fish in the market Juan Soto being locked in with The New York Mets after signing the largest contract in MLB history, the Mets still have work to do. Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes had already signed, and the Mets are still in the running for other pitching free agent starting pitching options like Nick Pavetta, Sean Manea, and Walker Buhler, BUT, the Mets still require more work.
Most fans would like a frontline pitcher like Corbin Burnes or Roki Sasaki; Shockingly those might be out of reach despite Steve Cohen’s infinite cash. Burnes, for how well he pitches, is on the wrong side of 30 and is likely going to receive a contract north of $200 million and 7 years. Meanwhile Sasaki won’t sign until January to maximize his contract worth. The Mets could dip into the trade market for pitchers like Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease, or Sandy Alcantara (if he becomes available) but the Mets seem to be focused on continuing to build their farm.
There are other interesting free agents available for the Mets, including the hometown hero Pete Alonso. From the outside looking in, his market has been quiet. Some Mets fans feel anxious about the quiet given the Wilponian history in Queens. However, it feels obvious the Mets are short a power bat or two to compete specifically with the Los Angeles Dodgers even with the addition of Juan Soto.
Let’s not be mistaken Juan Soto completely transforms this lineup with Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and the budding superstar Mark Vientos. However, it may not be the best move to hope for him to be a consistent 800+ OPS player and that be the only lineup protection for Soto.
It makes sense for Alonso to come back to Queens for the fans, the Mets and Pete. For the fans, Pete is a homegrown favorite. Most of us see him as the person who will be the all time homeruns leader for the Metropolitans franchise. Alonso speaks with so much grace and love for New York City and repeatedly sings the cities’ praises and the fans, so the reason is to believe if it is up to him, he will be a Met in 2025 and beyond.
There’s a place the Mets can meet Alonso and Scott Boras, after Alonso reportedly turned down a 7 year-$158 million dollar contract extension in 2023 which would have given him a 22.5 million average annual value (AAV). From Alonso’s side, when you hire Scott Boras, you don’t do it to get a reasonable contract; You do it to get paid.
Unfortunately for Pete, that market may not materialize on the open market with other power bats like Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Santander, and the Cardinals allegedly willing to move Paul Goldschmit. Alonso, while a hero for the Mets this past off season, his last two years have been relatively down years and Alonso is not a plus defender.
Freddie Freeman, who is the World Series MVP, is simply put a better player than Pete Alonso and received a $162 million contract from the Dodgers right before his age 32 season, and Matt Olson who is a also a better hitter and defender than Alonso at first base received a $168 million contract from the Atlanta Braves. The question begs to be asked, what will Alonso’s contract look like if he returns to the Mets?
To put it simply, Alonso needs the Mets and the Mets need Alonso. For that to happen, I believe the Mets will offer Pete somewhere around 5 years -$125 million and then they’ll have their protection for Juan Soto. A power bat that the fans will love while competing for their first World Series championship since 1986.