Mets players send message to Steve Cohen about future of Pete Alonso

This past winter, passionate New York Mets fans loudly told team owner Steve Cohen and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns that they needed to re-sign first baseman Pete Alonso. 

Alonso ultimately returned to the Mets via a two-year agreement that he likely will opt out of following the ongoing season. During a recent conversation with Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News, Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor repeated the "we want Pete" message that Cohen and Stearns heard ahead of spring training. 

"Gotta sign that man," Taylor said about Alonso. "The fans love him, and we all love him. He’s a great teammate, a great guy and a great baseball player. I think he’s meant a lot. You’ve got to sign him."

Alonso was developed through the Mets organization and has played only for the Amazins since he made his MLB debut in 2019. He will enter Friday's series opener at the Milwaukee Brewers (70-44) just two home runs away from setting a franchise record for that category. 

The 30-year-old "Polar Bear" is also a beloved figure among Mets fans, many of whom won't soon forget where they were when he delivered a dramatic go-ahead homer in New York's wild-card playoff elimination game at the Brewers last October. 

"He’s one of the heartbeats of this organization," Mets left-hander David Peterson added about Alonso. "Being a homegrown guy and having the impact that he’s had offensively and defensively, he means a lot to his team. It’s cool to see a guy like that, especially with the attitude that he has of wanting to win and caring so much about his teammates. That makes it even more special. It’s good to see a guy like that have all the success that he’s had, and that he’s going to have." 

Additionally, Alonso has been the offensive MVP for a Mets team that shockingly fell from 45-24 to 63-52 heading into Friday evening. Per ESPN stats, he ended Thursday's MLB action leading the Mets among qualified players with a .264 average. He was second on the team with an .859 OPS and 25 homers at that time. Additionally, he was second in all of MLB with 91 RBI.

The Mets began Friday trailing the first-place Philadelphia Phillies by two and a half games in the battle for the National League East title. Helping the Mets climb back atop the division standings would likely only increase the value of Alonso's next contract, assuming he's already planning on opting out of his existing deal.