Mets' Francisco Lindor addresses uncertain future of Pete Alonso

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor understands why All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso remains on track to reach free agency following the ongoing season.

"If Pete doesn’t feel like he doesn’t get every penny, he has earned the right to go and maximize his money, his worth," Lindor said about the situation during a recent chat with Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital. "He means a lot to the players, he means a lot to the organization. So, it’s going to come down to probably later on in the year or in the offseason to see who’s going to benefit the most."

Lindor, Alonso and outfielder Brandon Nimmo emerged as reasons for why a Mets team seemingly destined last month to become sellers ahead of the July 30 MLB trade deadline entered Thursday's action just half a game back in the battle for the National League's final wild-card playoff berth. 

For a piece published Thursday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic mentioned that the Mets' resurgence "has essentially taken Pete Alonso off the trade market" this summer even though there's no sign the slugger who turns 30 years old in December will ink a contract extension before he hits the open market.

According to Baseball-Reference, Alonso ended Wednesday trailing Mets legend Darryl Strawberry (252) by 42 home runs for the franchise record in that category. Alonso previously has spoken about building a legacy as an all-time Mets great and about his desire to stay with the organization beyond this season.

"Pete Alonso has been one of the best power hitters the organization has had," Lindor added. "So, yeah, would I love to have him as a teammate? Yes, of course."

It remains unclear how much Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president of baseball operations David Stearns will be willing to offer Alonso considering it's hardly a secret that the club is expected to pursue New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto this fall. 

Assuming Stearns holds onto Alonso through the final Tuesday of July, the "Polar Bear" should have roughly two-and-a-half months to prove his overall worth to his current employer.