Steve Cohen: Mets 'Still Engaged' with Pete Alonso, Letting Free Agent 1B Test Market
The New York Mets are still in contact with free-agent slugger Pete Alonso regarding a return to the organization, according to team owner Steve Cohen.
"We think he's a great Met and we're still engaged," Cohen said on Thursday, per Newsday's Tim Healey. "We hope he stays as a Met. ... He's entitled to go out, test his market and see what it is. Hopefully we'll get there."
New York appears to be turning its attention towards re-signing the first baseman after handing superstar Juan Soto a massive 15-year, $765 million contract on Sunday.
Mets general manager David Stearns also confirmed that Soto's contract wouldn't prevent a reunion with Alonso in free agency.
"I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that there's going to be resources when we need them," Stearns told reporters on Monday. "There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think that they're there to improve the team and we're going to continue to pursue a wide variety of areas to continue to improve our team."
Alonso has consistently displayed his power at the plate throughout his Mets tenure, racking up 226 home runs since he made his debut with the team in 2019.
He's coming off a tumultuous 2024 season, as he hit just .232 with runners in scoring position and posted a career-low .788 OPS. Alonso also racked up 34 homers and 31 doubles.
He looked much closer to his former self in the postseason, hitting four home runs and 10 RBIs during New York's National League Championship Series run to go along with a .273/.431/.568 slash line.
The Mets certainly won't be the only ones attempting to sign him, though. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported on Wednesday that Alonso has already started meeting with several teams as he navigates through his free agency.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden projected the four-time All-Star to eventually land a seven-year, $189 million contract.
New York appears to be content with Alonso testing his market as a free agent, but Cohen confirmed that the front office is still working to bring him back to the Mets.
