Pete Alonso addresses support he received from fans before re-signing with Mets

Shortly after passionate New York Mets fans loudly made it known at an event that they wanted team owner Steve Cohen to re-sign first baseman Pete Alonso, a report revealed that Cohen "was back in conversation with Alonso’s camp." 

Those discussions ultimately resulted in Alonso accepting a contract that guaranteed the slugger $54M over two years and included an opt-out after the upcoming season. 

During the latest edition of the "Meet at the Apple" podcast, Alonso addressed receiving public support from Mets fans this winter. 

"It's awesome," Alonso said, per Logan VanDine of Sports Illustrated. "Being here, I've had success. I've also failed. But, I think, over the course of time, to be continuously wanted like that from Mets fans, it's just really special because I lay it all out there, work hard and do the best I can every single night."

Cohen was right to trust Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns regarding the Alonso free-agency saga, as the market for the "Polar Bear" never materialized as he imagined after he reportedly rejected a seven-year, $158M contract extension offered by New York during the 2023 season. 

Back in December after the Mets landed All-Star outfielder Juan Soto via a historic contract, Cohen acknowledged he still had "hope" that Alonso would share a lineup with Soto for at least one season. However, there was no sign that the two sides would come to terms on an agreement when Cohen told angry customers at the Amazin' Day fan fest that talks with Alonso's camp had been "an exhausting" process.

It's now known that Cohen flew to Tampa ahead of spring training to close the Alonso deal. 

Alonso is a beloved figure among Mets fans and likely will become the franchise's all-time leader in career home runs later this year. While stories will hover over the Mets throughout 2025 suggesting that Cohen and Stearns will look to sign Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this coming fall, individuals such as Jim Bowden of The Athletic have noted that the Mets could make Alonso a designated hitter to feature him in a lineup with Soto, Guerrero and shortstop Francisco Lindor in 2026. 

For now, Alonso will try to prove his worth to the Mets and other teams in what could become another walk year.