Mets Could Face Major Shift as Pete Alonso Decision Looms

The New York Mets and Pete Alonso appear to have some strong mutual interest on a return for 2025 -- as long as both sides can agree on the price tag.

If not, the Mets may need to do some major reshuffling in their lineup.

USA Today insider Bob Nightengale reported that Alonso "badly" wants to return to the Mets and the club wants him to return, but only if he's willing to accept the team's three-year deal for close to $70 million. Nightengale reported that Alonso is "expected to return" to Queens as the Mets look to build on their surprise trip to the NLCS last season.

Alonso has not garnered the interest on the open market that he had hoped, with only the Toronto Blue Jays offering strong pursuit in free agency, Nightengale added. 

"It likely will come down just how much the Mets will pay Alonso in the first year of that three-year contract, which will include an opt-out after the 2025 season to allow Alonso to test the market again," Nightengale wrote.

If Alonso balks at the deal -- or if another team swoops in to make a more attractive offer to the 30-year-old slugger -- it would force the Mets to make a big shift. Alonso has anchored the cleanup spot since his breakout rookie season in 2019, when he hit a league-leading 53 home runs.