Insider shares update on where Mets, Pete Alonso are in free agency talks

As recently as Thursday, MLB writer Laura Albanese of Newsday predicted that free agent Pete Alonso will eventually return to the New York Mets after five teams acquired new first basemen shortly before Christmas. 

That said, it appears the two sides aren't all that close to putting pen to paper on a contract. 

In a piece updated Thursday night, MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that "there is said to be a sizable gap in talks at the moment" between the Mets and Alonso's camp. Heyman added that "no quick deal appears at hand" and that the Mets could consider moving 2024 breakout star Mark Vientos from third base to first if Alonso receives the type of contract he wants elsewhere. 

Of course, the biggest problem with Alonso's reported desires is that before the holiday week began, it became clear that clubs aren't all that keen on paying a 30-year-old right-handed hitting and throwing first baseman who seemed to press at the plate during a walk year and is seen as a defensive liability.

With that said, Heyman pointed out that Alonso is "a Mets fan favorite" who has played only for the Amazins since making his MLB debut in 2019 and who saved the club with a dramatic home run in a wild-card playoff elimination game this past October. Add in that Alonso is 27 homers shy of becoming the Mets' all-time leader and that the club is expected to compete for more than just a postseason berth following the historic signing of All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, and it's understandable that pockets of fans are worried the team hasn't yet locked the "Polar Bear" down via a multi-year agreement. 

Albanese said on Thursday that Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president of baseball operations David Stearns may be "waiting it out to reach a more franchise-friendly deal" with Alonso. However, SNY recently named the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners "potential fits" for the slugger. 

A different club winning Alonso over before players report for spring training could leave the Mets potentially scrambling to replace the 34 home runs and 88 RBI he recorded across 162 regular-season games this year.