Insider offers trade, contract updates on Mets' Pete Alonso

It appears the New York Mets haven't yet made any final decision about the future of All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso.

A source told Mark Feinsand of the official MLB website that "the Mets made (a contract) offer that, while it certainly wasn’t insulting, wasn’t one good enough to convince Alonso to forego free agency." That source added that "there’s no urgency to get something done right now." 

Alonso is eligible to hit free agency after the 2024 season, has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the Mets' collapse this summer and most recently was linked with the Milwaukee Brewers. Mets owner Steve Cohen is expected to hire former Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns to serve as New York's team president following the ongoing campaign. 

The Mets' pre-trade deadline fire sale that included landing prospects for co-aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer could continue into the offseason and involve the club moving on from both Alonso and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, especially if Cohen is prepared to punt on next year with 2025 and/or 2026 in mind. 

"I’m not convinced the Mets are ready to tank 2024," the previously mentioned source told Feinsand. "They could very well bring Alonso back and essentially return the same offense they had this season, then sign some starting pitchers to multi-year deals. The first thing they need to do is figure out who will be making those decisions." 

One National League executive pointed out that the Mets theoretically could acquire younger talent for Alonso and then attempt to re-sign the slugger in free agency after the 2024 season. 

"The return they can expect to receive for one year of Alonso at his projected salary won’t be huge, but that’s still likely to be their best approach," that executive explained. 

Alonso has repeatedly voiced his love of playing in New York and representing the Mets, and he could remain with the club through next season and then re-sign with the organization similar to how outfielder Brandon Nimmo agreed to an eight-year deal reportedly worth $162M to stay put this past December. 

One American League executive told Feinsand that the Mets trading Alonso this fall isn't viewed as a "slam dunk" ahead of September. 

"The best Mets team in 2024 includes (Alonso), and I can’t imagine they have entirely predetermined the outcome," that executive said.