Earlier this week, New York Mets legend and former membership captain David Wright mentioned that he hoped first baseman Pete Alonso would not “lose sight of” how particular staying with one membership all through a profession may be for any participant.
New York Giants icon Tiki Barber is aware of somewhat one thing about that, and he supplied recommendation to Alonso because the 30-year-old stays a free agent who seemingly is not all that near both returning to the Mets or signing with a distinct group.
“I virtually really feel like Pete Alonso…he must take the hometown low cost like David Wright stated,” Barber defined throughout Thursday’s version of the WFAN afternoon present, Audacy’s Ryan Chichester shared. “I do know this from private expertise. I wasn’t a extremely sought-after free agent…however innately, I knew I couldn’t go away New York. I hadn’t achieved sufficient but.”
The Giants drafted Barber in 1997, and he in the end performed just for Huge Blue till he retired after the 2006 season. Equally, Alonso is a so-called “homegrown Met” who was drafted by the franchise and who to date has performed just for the Amazins throughout his MLB profession.
Varying reports have claimed that agent Scott Boras is searching for something between a six- and nine-year contract that would, relying on its size, be price over $200M in assured cash. Nevertheless, quite a few golf equipment have already addressed first base by way of different strikes this offseason, and it is extensively believed Alonso should accept a short-term deal that features a number of opt-outs.
In accordance with Bridget Hyland of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, former Miami Marlins president and present sports activities enterprise insider David Samson prompt on a current episode of his podcast that Boras was primarily utilizing media contacts in an try to make Mets proprietor Steve Cohen consider “that one other group goes to signal Alonso and go away him with nothing” this offseason. Barber warned that Alonso ought to take into consideration extra than simply monetary safety at this profession stage.
“How are the Mets going to recollect him? As somebody who jilted them when he had an opportunity to make some cash and fired his agent to rent Scott Boras, and held all people hostage till he acquired probably the most cash he probably might?” Barber stated.
Alonso is already a beloved fan-favorite who hit one of the vital dramatic postseason home runs in Mets historical past and can turn out to be the franchise’s all-time chief in career homers if he returns. Whereas Alonso has loads of time to chase an enormous contract earlier than spring coaching begins, Barber hinted that the “Polar Bear” must see the writing on the wall concerning what’s on the market for him on the open market.
“I believe in some unspecified time in the future,” Barber added, “Pete goes to should decide on whether or not that is about Scott Boras or Pete Alonso and what his model and legacy is, particularly if he stays with the Mets.”
Maybe the largest concern for Mets followers who need Alonso to re-sign is that group president of baseball operations David Stearns might finally pivot and go in a distinct path to seek out wanted lineup safety for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto. The Mets presumably would welcome Alonso again at their worth, however whether or not or not the 2 sides can agree on that worth earlier than Opening Day is unknown.
