In this installment, A.J. and John assess what Alonso finally signing does for the Mets
A.J. Carter: Met fans are rejoicing today that Pete Alonso is back and are looking forward to a year of him hitting behind Juan Soto. They’re also putting a “W” in Steve Cohen’s column for his hardball negotiating and patience that brought back Alonso on a short-term contract without committing to a deal the Mets might regret in its later years. As for me, I’m wondering whether in giving Alonso a one-year opt-out (something he most assuredly will unless he totally stinks this year), the Mets are implementing a grand long-term plan for first base or merely kicking the can down a year. What do you think?
John Coppinger: I think the long term thinking is merely Stearns not wanting to pay a first baseman long into his 30’s. The days of Chris Davis and Albert Pujols getting crippling mega deals are over. Pete was already trending downward in his 20’s. But this is a deal that works for both sides. I know it's not what Pete wanted, but as you said he gets a season to hit behind Soto and he gets to bet on himself again in hopes that the huge deal is still coming. The Mets now get to run it back for a season with a better bullpen and Soto, while giving themselves a year to see if Ryan Clifford can be their first baseman in ‘26.
A.J. Carter: It also keeps the Mets’ options open to be part of the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sweepstakes next offseason. I would hate to have Alonso’s presence take them out of that.
John Coppinger: Right. It gives the Mets flexibility which, when you look at Cohen’s regime, has been a priority. Besides Soto and Lindor, the big money contracts have been short term deals. Many will think of Scherzer and Verlander as mistakes, but those contracts were over as quickly as they were signed. It keeps the Mets in the mix to stay active and keeps their options open.
A.J. Carter: So give points to Cohen and David Stearns. And take some away from Scott Boras, who gambled with Alonso and lost. Let’s look at this from Alonso’s standpoint for a second: Do you think this will affect him during the season? Do you think he won’t be the same, loveable Polar Bear and will sulk through the season? Or do you think that by the time he puts his Mets uniform on, all will be forgotten? It’s sort of hard to fathom Alonso appearing in Mets commercials the way he was featured last year.
John Coppinger: I don’t know about “sulk”. I don’t think it’s in Pete’s nature to sulk. I think him being in the room with many of the same guys as last season will pick him right back up. I think Alonso’s problem has always been him putting too much pressure on himself, whether it be at-bat to at-bat or season to season. He has always gripped the bat tight. So the question becomes, will he continue to put too much pressure on himself to perform for the team and for his own contract? Or will the presence of Soto as the newest face of the team take the pressure off Alonso and allow him to relax and “see ball, hit ball?”
A.J. Carter: There’s another aspect of this that I don’t think many people have talked about yet: what the signing means for Luisangel Acuna. With Vientos anchored at third – something you felt was best for him – that’s one less landing spot for what everyone agrees is an exciting potential star. Here’s what I think: By the middle of the season, Acuna is the Mets’ regular center fielder. We saw a bit of him there at the end of last season, and he can play the position. I view Tyrone Taylor as one of those players whose flaws will begin to become a factor the more he is exposed as a regular player, and Jose Siri as a regular? Be real.
John Coppinger: Totally agree. Center field has been patchwork since Juan Lagares (maybe even Carlos Beltran.) With the infield now being earmarked for Vientos, Lindor, Alonso, and whoever plays second base, Acuna’s experience in center field gives the Mets an option there. And if Acuna hits like he showed late in ‘24, I think they’ll explore that. The only question then is what you do with Jett Williams, but that’s a can they can kick down the road.
A.J. Carter: We seem to be doing a lot of can kicking today. Should we buy a six-pack?
コメント