Mets' Pete Alonso discusses if struggles are related to pending free agency

Before the New York Mets lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 at home on Monday night, All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso discussed if his previous offensive struggles this spring were at all related to the fact that he remains on track to reach free agency after the ongoing season. 

"Absolutely not," Alonso said, according to David Lennon of Newsday. "It’s just about focusing on winning baseball games and doing what I can every single day. If I don’t feel like I’m doing a good job, then it’s frustrating. There’s ups and downs in the game. I’m just happy that I feel more like myself, that I’m back to being myself again."

As noted by RotoBaller, Alonso was responsible for a .206 batting average on the season when first-year manager Carlos Mendoza sat the 29-year-old for the start of New York's series opener at the St. Louis Cardinals back on May 6. 

Alonso had improved his average to a more respectable .230 for the campaign ahead of Tuesday's action. Across the season's first 40 games, he hit nine home runs and recorded 22 RBI. 

"At the end of the day, Carlos writes the lineups and his decision is his decision," Alonso told Lennon about beginning that May 6 matchup on the bench. "I respect it no matter what. I’m just happy it worked out to where we won the game, so it was definitely the right choice. I think seeing the game in a different perspective was useful, but realistically I think the biggest help has been [hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes] and advice from my teammates."

Some believed as recently as last week that it was a matter of when, not if, Alonso would heat up amid his walk year. With that said, he likely will continue to be the subject of numerous trade rumors if the 19-21 Mets don't right the ship over the next six weeks or so. 

Against the Phillies on Monday night, Alonso reached base via a double, a single and a walk. He looked much more like his "Polar Bear" self over the past week, but one nevertheless can't help but wonder if playing for a new contract and not knowing about his future with the Mets beyond the All-Star break is weighing him down.