Pete Alonso reflects on possible last homestand of Mets career

As has been expected for months, All-Star New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso remains on track to reach free agency after this season. That means the club's final homestand against the Washington Nationals, which begins on Monday, could be his last with the franchise.

Alonso is doing all he can to focus on the Mets' pursuit of a playoff berth rather than on the fact that he could be playing the final home games of his tenure with what's been his only MLB club since he made his big league debut back in 2019. 

"I’m just taking everything day by day and doing whatever I can to help the team win each day," Alonso recently said, as shared by Tim Britton of The Athletic. "I’m really not necessarily worried about that. I’m just trying to help this team get to the postseason." 

Alonso was the subject of trade rumors from last summer through the Mets' 22-33 start to this season. While shortstop Francisco Lindor has largely been credited for the team's resurgence that began in June, Alonso has endured some offensive struggles amid takes suggesting he's been pressing during his walk year. 

Alonso began Monday on pace to finish the month with the fewest home runs he's blasted across a single season since he hit 37 back in 2021. Across his first 149 games of the campaign, the 29-year-old batted .241 with 32 homers, 81 RBI and a .793 OPS. 

It's unknown if Alonso could give Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and big-spending team owner Steve Cohen any type of hometown discount to stay with the organization beyond this fall. The 81-68 Mets began Monday tied with the rival Atlanta Braves in the battle for the National League's last wild-card playoff spot. 

"I always have to take it back to camp," Alonso added during his comments. "Back in spring training, it’s like this is what you prepare for, this is what you prepare for in the offseason, this is what it’s all about. Everyone is just really pulling in the same direction, and it’s just been really exciting. This is where all that preparation and all that work goes to. This is the moment. We’re really excited for it." 

The Mets may need Alonso to find his best form to continue playing past their regular-season finale on Sept. 29, especially if Lindor misses more than a couple of games with the back problems that bothered him this past weekend. If nothing else, Alonso could increase the value of his next contract by putting the Mets on his back beginning with Monday's matchup against Washington.