Mets reportedly face competition from these AL East teams in Pete Alonso sweepstakes

New York Mets fans who are upset over the fact that closer Edwin Diaz will reportedly sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers are now looking for Mets owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns to bring free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso back to the organization. 

However, it appears the market for Alonso's services is more robust than it was last winter. 

Three favorites exist in Pete Alonso sweepstakes

For a piece published early Wednesday morning, Mark Feinsand of the MLB's website revealed that the Mets, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles are seen as the "favorites" to sign Alonso. The 31-year-old was previously scheduled to have in-person talks with the Red Sox and Orioles during the ongoing MLB Winter Meetings. 

On Tuesday, reports shared that the Philadelphia Phillies and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber had agreed to a five-year, $150M deal. Feinsand wrote that Alonso's camp is also "seeking a five-year deal...likely in the same range of roughly $30M per year." Feinsand also pointed out that Stearns "may be hesitant to" sign Alonso to a contract longer than three years. 

Why David Stearns may have to alter Pete Alonso mindset

Last offseason, Alonso and agent Scott Boras misjudged the slugger's market before Alonso signed a two-year, $54M contract with a player opt-out after the 2025 season to stay with the Mets. That transaction became official long before Stearns traded fan-favorite outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien in November and before Diaz took his talents to Los Angeles.

"The Mets have a lot of pressure on them right now," one National League executive told Feinsand. "They still need to do a lot this winter, but getting Alonso back would check a big box on their to-do list." 

Along with filling a need at first base and in the lineup, re-signing Alonso would ensure that the Mets' all-time home run king and a homegrown player will continue playing home games in Queens for the foreseeable future. Stearns was already unpopular among some Mets fans after the club missed the playoffs this past season, so the executive may want to think twice before he lets Alonso head to either Boston or Baltimore. 

"Could Cohen instruct Stearns to get a deal done with Alonso at any cost?" Feinsand added. 

It seems others around MLB are asking that same question as of the second Wednesday of December.