Former Mets GM Sandy Alderson blasts team's decision to part ways with Orioles' Pete Alonso

Long before angry New York Mets fans chanted during Monday night's home game against the Baltimore Orioles for team owner Steve Cohen to fire Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, Stearns acknowledged that he could "certainly understand" pockets of supporters were upset that he didn't re-sign current Orioles slugger Pete Alonso. 

During a recent MLB Network appearance, former Mets general manager and former Mets president Sandy Alderson didn't hide his feelings regarding Stearns' decision to let Alonso walk after the 2025 season wrapped up. 

Sandy Alderson "was disappointed" by Mets' Pete Alonso decision

"I was disappointed," Alderson admitted, per Danny Abriano of SNY. "Look, Pete Alonso was drafted by Tommy Tanous -- the scouting director at that time -- in the second round. Basically a home run hitter who got on base. And that's what he's been since he came to the big leagues. Let's say his defense is not superb. Poor defense doesn't outweigh the kind of homegrown, home run talent -- impact talent -- that Pete Alonso can provide."  

Following the Mets' in-season collapse last year, Stearns insisted that the team needed to improve its "run prevention." He then dismantled what was the core of the club's roster, and the squad he assembled was officially eliminated from playoff contention after it fell to 69-81 on Monday night.

"From my standpoint," Alderson continued, "if they let [Alonso] go because of his defense, I think that was a mistake. If they let him go because they thought his power was gonna diminish over time? Okay, that's a guess. It might happen. It might not. To me, the deciding factor is the guy is homegrown. He's gonna set your home run record." 

A homegrown talent who had played only for the Mets since making his MLB debut in 2019, Alonso broke the franchise's all-time home run record last summer. Over his first 151 games with the Orioles, he tallied 35 home runs and 100 RBI. 

Mets forgot this about their product

Stearns failed to adequately replace Alonso at first base or in the lineup. The executive also took quite a risk in choosing not to care about how popular Alonso was and still is among Mets fans. 

"Baseball is entertainment," Alderson added. "It's not 'Well, X's and O's, it doesn't matter.' No, it's entertainment. And sometimes you have to take that factor into account, and Pete Alonso was part of the entertainment that Mets fans appreciated and supported."

Cohen seems prepared to keep Stearns employed through the upcoming offseason. Mets fans who attend the final two games of the Baltimore series may have plenty to say about that plan.