Pete Alonso’s future with the New York Mets is uncertain.
The three-time All-Star first baseman has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, especially since he’s entering the final year of his contract.
But on Wednesday, Alonso received vocal support for an extension from a team legend.
Posting on his Instagram, former Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry stated his case for Alonso to stay in Queens for the foreseeable future, while also talking about his own departure from the team.
“The Mets must sign Peter Alonso to a long-term contract," Strawberry said. “He will become the all-time home run leader for the franchise. Only a handful of homegrown, everyday players have thrived in the pressure of New York City, and Alonso has shown he has what it takes.
"Just like David Wright, José Reyes, and myself, don’t let Pete go. Keep your homegrown talent!"
Regarding Strawberry’s statement of Alonso becoming the Mets’ all-time leader in homers, this is a near-certainty if the Mets keep him. Alonso has 192 career homers in just six seasons, and is already tied with Howard Johnson for the fourth-most homers in franchise history. What makes this statement especially important is that Strawberry himself is the Mets’ career leader in home runs, with 252 long balls from 1983 to 1990.
Strawberry also expressed regret over how his Mets tenure ended, when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1990.
“1990 resurfaced when the Mets had plans to trade me,” Strawberry said. “Back then, I had no real connection with the team’s owners or front office. It was a different era, and relationships between players and management were not a strong as they are now. Unfortunately, a broken relationship ultimately led me to leave the Mets.
“Looking back, I deeply regret the decision and want to apologize to all the loyal Met fans who supported me during my 8 years with the team. Love y'all forever."
Strawberry remains one of the most popular and beloved players in Mets history, and his number 18 is scheduled to be retired (alongside teammate Dwight Gooden’s number 16) during the 2024 season. With that kind of status, his words carry significant weight to this situation.
Alonso is arguably the Mets’ most popular current player, and if his appearance at Madison Square Garden wearing a “New York or Nowhere” T-shirt is any indication, he loves playing in Queens.
Hopefully the words of a legend like Strawberry can convince Steve Cohen and David Sterns that Alonso should be the face of the Mets for years to come.
More must-reads: