Mets star 1B not worried about signing extension

It sounds like New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso won't sign a long-term extension imminently. 

In a piece on Alonso's future, MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post noted that "the Mets are taxed at 90 percent now (and 110 percent starting next year) so any deal costs them double." 

Heyman also mentioned that Alonso, 28, "has less incentive to sign now" considering his age and what he could still become as an all-around player. 

Heyman offered this update after Alonso told reporters last week he isn't "comfortable" speaking publicly about his contract status. Alonso insisted at that time he loves "representing the New York Mets" and is "really stoked to be here," but he also admitted he doesn't know what the future holds.

None of this is meant to suggest Mets fans should worry so early into spring training. Alonso isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2024 season, and a rival executive told Heyman that Mets owner Steve Cohen "is not going to let Alonso walk." Add in that ESPN's Jeff Passan explained on Feb. 6 that the Mets were already carrying a luxury-tax penalty of $98.6 million at that time, and it makes sense Cohen and company would wait until the fall to get ultra-serious about locking Alonso down. 

Heyman also mentioned that the awful contract attached to Robinson Cano comes off the books after the 2023 campaign. 

With all that said, though, Alonso is already a two-time All-Star who led the National League and set a Mets single-season record with 131 RBI last year. He's also arguably the most popular player on the roster among fans and is routinely mentioned as a candidate to be named captain: