Would Pete Alonso give Mets 'hometown discount' ahead of season?

MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post explained in a piece published Thursday night why New York Mets All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso "is almost surely headed to free agency after the 2024 season" for reasons that go beyond the fact that Alonso is represented by Scott Boras, an agent who often encourages clients to test the open market. 

"He’s not viewed by long-time acquaintances of the Mets' slugger as a 'hometown discount' kind of guy," Heyman wrote about Alonso. "Though there’s no reason to doubt Alonso’s professed love for the Mets/New York, old friends believe Alonso’s preference has long been to ascertain his true value on the market, and be paid his market worth..." 

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns essentially confirmed as recently as this week that Alonso will play through a contract year and then reach free agency shortly after the World Series this fall. Heyman noted that doesn't necessarily mean the 29-year-old is counting the days down until he can sign elsewhere. 

Boras represented outfielder Brandon Nimmo when Nimmo explored free agency following the 2022 season, and Nimmo ultimately signed an eight-year contract reportedly worth $162M to stay with the Mets. 

While the Amazins had a relatively quiet offseason following a disappointing 2023 campaign, it shouldn't be forgotten that big-spending team owner Steve Cohen can afford to outbid every other club to win Alonso's signature later this year assuming the "Polar Bear" is willing to commit his long-term future to what's been the only home of his MLB career.

"Alonso, due in camp by Feb. 19, didn’t specifically tell the Mets he’ll be a free agent, but he didn’t have to," Heyman added. "They’ve made a couple past attempts to lock him up long term, which gave them an early clue where this was headed...Alonso’s unique skill set (more home runs than anyone since entering MLB) combined with an unusual ability to stay on the field (an average of five games missed per year) means the effort to hit a grand slam in free agency seems inevitable." 

Stearns has repeatedly insisted the 2024 Mets can compete for at least a wild-card playoff spot. Such comments indicate he won't shop Alonso to other clubs at any point ahead of the All-Star break. The situation could, of course, change if the Mets have a losing record in the middle of July, but it appears such conversations are merely hypothetical in the early days of spring training.